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

    Premiers Christy Clark, Jim Prentice Set Tone For Warm Relations After 'Frosty' Redford Era

    Premiers Christy Clark, Jim Prentice Set Tone For Warm Relations After 'Frosty' Redford Era
    VANCOUVER — Alberta Premier Jim Prentice and British Columbia's  have promised warmer relations after Clark's "frosty" dealings with former premier Alison Redford.

    Premiers Christy Clark, Jim Prentice Set Tone For Warm Relations After 'Frosty' Redford Era

    Debris Clearing Begins After Creeks Flood Streets, Homes In Vancouver's North Shore

    Debris Clearing Begins After Creeks Flood Streets, Homes In Vancouver's North Shore
    VANCOUVER — Homeowners in Vancouver's North Shore were assessing the damage after creeks overflowed and flooded streets and houses overnight.

    Debris Clearing Begins After Creeks Flood Streets, Homes In Vancouver's North Shore

    French President Francois Hollande continues trip in Quebec City

    French President Francois Hollande continues trip in Quebec City
    QUEBEC — French President Francois Hollande is continuing his trip to Canada with visits today to Quebec City and Montreal.

    French President Francois Hollande continues trip in Quebec City

    Safety minister cites 'explosive cocktail' of ideology, addiction, mental illness

    Safety minister cites 'explosive cocktail' of ideology, addiction, mental illness
    OTTAWA — The federal public safety minister suggests an explosive cocktail of mental health problems, drug addiction and extremist ideology prompted the recent killing of a soldier in Ottawa.

    Safety minister cites 'explosive cocktail' of ideology, addiction, mental illness

    RCMP say missing Japanese tourist planned to trek into bush and disappear

    RCMP say missing Japanese tourist planned to trek into bush and disappear
    YELLOWKNIFE — RCMP in Yellowknife say a missing Japanese tourist is presumed dead.

    RCMP say missing Japanese tourist planned to trek into bush and disappear

    Blue chip advisory panel says putting price on pollution the way to go

    Blue chip advisory panel says putting price on pollution the way to go
    OTTAWA — A new private commission launching today has a message for federal, provincial and municipal governments: Helping the environment is good for the economy.

    Blue chip advisory panel says putting price on pollution the way to go