Friday, June 26, 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

    Mulcair says NDP women revictimized by public airing of misconduct complaints

    Mulcair says NDP women revictimized by public airing of misconduct complaints
    OTTAWA — Two female New Democrat MPs have been victimized a second time by Justin Trudeau's decision to publicize their complaints of inappropriate behaviour against two Liberal MPs, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair says.

    Mulcair says NDP women revictimized by public airing of misconduct complaints

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver to deliver government's fiscal update Nov. 12

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver to deliver government's fiscal update Nov. 12
    OTTAWA — Finance Minister Joe Oliver says he'll deliver the government's economic and fiscal update on Nov. 12.

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver to deliver government's fiscal update Nov. 12

    Magnotta trial hears from psychiatrist that he fell in love with male nurse

    Magnotta trial hears from psychiatrist that he fell in love with male nurse
    MONTREAL — The jury at Luka Rocco Magnotta's murder trial has heard from his current psychiatrist that her patient fell in love with a male nurse in April 2013.

    Magnotta trial hears from psychiatrist that he fell in love with male nurse

    Muslim cleric offering checklist to help converts avoid radicalization

    Muslim cleric offering checklist to help converts avoid radicalization
    CALGARY — A prominent Muslim cleric wants to distribute a checklist to help steer new and potential converts to Islam away from extremism.

    Muslim cleric offering checklist to help converts avoid radicalization

    Harper kicks off trip to China expected to focus on economic issues

    Harper kicks off trip to China expected to focus on economic issues
    HANGZHOU, China — Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in China on Thursday to begin a four-day visit that will focus largely on building closer economic ties to Canada's No. 2 trading partner.

    Harper kicks off trip to China expected to focus on economic issues

    SNC-Lavalin to cut 4,000 jobs, nine per cent of total

    SNC-Lavalin to cut 4,000 jobs, nine per cent of total
    MONTREAL — SNC-Lavalin says it will reduce the company's global workforce by 4,000, or nine per cent of the total, over an 18-month period starting in 2015.

    SNC-Lavalin to cut 4,000 jobs, nine per cent of total