Thursday, June 25, 2026
ADVT 
National

Canada Must Guard Against Terrorism: PM Harper

IANS, 24 Jun, 2015 12:56 PM
    Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism and so "continued vigilance is essential", Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said.
     
    Harper made the remarks on Tuesday while laying a wreath in the Hall of Honour to mark the "National day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism" observed to honour those killed in the 1985 Air India bombing.
     
    An Air India flight flying from Toronto to London crashed off the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board. Most of the dead were Canadians of Indian origin. 
     
    Sikh extremists were blamed for the bombing.
     
    Harper said he cannot "help but cast his mind back to the Canadians who perished in Air India Flight 182 and in the World Trade Centre attacks... and to the many terrorist activities foiled by the vigilance of Canadian security agencies.
     
    "The recollections serve as a reminder that Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism and that continued vigilance is essential."
     
    Addressing a gathering in parliament building here, he said it was a terror attack that killed the 329 passengers and crew members aboard Air India. 
     
    "On this sombre anniversary, we stand in solidarity with the friends and families who lost loved ones in that heinous attack and honour those lost.
     
    "We were deeply moved by this solemn tribute as well as by our meeting the kin of the victims," he added.
     
    Among the kin of the victims present was Susheel Gupta, whose mother Ramvati died in the bombing. Gupta said he regretted that his children would not be able to meet their grandmother.
     
    Meanwhile, a memorial service in Ireland was attended by India's Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan and Canadian Minister of Justice Peter MacKay.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    With Slim Surplus, Can Conservatives Afford To Fulfil Remaining 2011 Promises?

    With Slim Surplus, Can Conservatives Afford To Fulfil Remaining 2011 Promises?
    The Conservative government has been ticking off boxes recently beside its list of multibillion-dollar, family-friendly promises made during the 2011 election campaign, pledges contingent on a balanced budget.

    With Slim Surplus, Can Conservatives Afford To Fulfil Remaining 2011 Promises?

    Wind Turbines Like 'Nightmare Neighbours'

    Wind Turbines Like 'Nightmare Neighbours'
    LONDON, Ont. — Wind turbines are like new neighbours who might drive you to distraction and out of your home because you have no legal way to deal with the situation, a packed Ontario court heard Monday.

    Wind Turbines Like 'Nightmare Neighbours'

    Hockey Legend Gordie Howe's Health Takes Turn For Worse, Son Mark Says

    Hockey Legend Gordie Howe's Health Takes Turn For Worse, Son Mark Says
    Gordie Howe is "not doing well at all" several weeks after suffering a stroke, according to his son Mark. The Hall of Famer known as "Mr. Hockey" had initially been improving better than expected, but that changed recently.

    Hockey Legend Gordie Howe's Health Takes Turn For Worse, Son Mark Says

    October Home Sales Up 0.7% From September And 7% From Year Ago

    October Home Sales Up 0.7% From September And 7% From Year Ago
    OTTAWA — Canadian home sales in October were up seven per cent compared with a year ago, driven by the markets in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto.

    October Home Sales Up 0.7% From September And 7% From Year Ago

    Expert Panel, Public Choose BC's Best Buildings From Unique Candidates

    Expert Panel, Public Choose BC's Best Buildings From Unique Candidates
    VANCOUVER — A public foundation is raising the roof for a landmark from a genteel era and a century-old villa dubbed the hobbit house.

    Expert Panel, Public Choose BC's Best Buildings From Unique Candidates

    Wallet stolen on camping trip in 1979 returned to woman in Kamloops, B.C.

    Wallet stolen on camping trip in 1979 returned to woman in Kamloops, B.C.
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — When Martha Shepherd answered the phone, the last thing she expected to hear was that someone found her wallet — 35 years after her purse was stolen.

    Wallet stolen on camping trip in 1979 returned to woman in Kamloops, B.C.