Sunday, June 28, 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

    Quebec premier says direct Montreal-China flights could be coming

    Quebec premier says direct Montreal-China flights could be coming
    SHANGHAI - Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is hinting there could be direct flights between Montreal and Beijing within the next year.

    Quebec premier says direct Montreal-China flights could be coming

    Manitoba premier Greg Selinger facing internal dissent as NDP popularity sags

    Manitoba premier Greg Selinger facing internal dissent as NDP popularity sags
    WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger is facing questions about his future from within his own party.

    Manitoba premier Greg Selinger facing internal dissent as NDP popularity sags

    CSIS obstructed spy watchdog's efforts to obtain timely information, report says

    CSIS obstructed spy watchdog's efforts to obtain timely information, report says
    OTTAWA - Just as the federal government is poised to boost the powers of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the national spy watchdog says it has had to push CSIS to hand over crucial information.

    CSIS obstructed spy watchdog's efforts to obtain timely information, report says

    Powder sent to consulates in Turkey tests negative; Canadian consulate closed

    Powder sent to consulates in Turkey tests negative; Canadian consulate closed
    ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish officials say initial tests indicate suspicious packages sent to five consulates in Istanbul — including Canada's — did not contain bioterrorism agents.

    Powder sent to consulates in Turkey tests negative; Canadian consulate closed

    Magnotta trial hears from Montreal lawyer whose mother's name appeared on parcels

    Magnotta trial hears from Montreal lawyer whose mother's name appeared on parcels
    MONTREAL - A Montreal lawyer testified at Luka Rocco Magnotta first-degree murder trial today about a relative's name that ended up on two packages containing body parts of Jun Lin.

    Magnotta trial hears from Montreal lawyer whose mother's name appeared on parcels

    'Q' guest host says show will go on after departure of host Jian Ghomeshi

    'Q' guest host says show will go on after departure of host Jian Ghomeshi
    TORONTO - A day after the dismissal of founding host Jian Ghomeshi, "Q" guest host Brent Bambury told CBC-Radio listeners Monday that the show would indeed go on.

    'Q' guest host says show will go on after departure of host Jian Ghomeshi