Tuesday, June 30, 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

    Man detained as Harper lays wreath at war memorial shooting scene

    Man detained as Harper lays wreath at war memorial shooting scene
    OTTAWA - A man was detained by police this morning not far from Stephen Harper as the prime minister stopped by the National War Memorial to pay tribute to Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.

    Man detained as Harper lays wreath at war memorial shooting scene

    House of Commons gets underway in wake of stunning Parliament Hill attack

    House of Commons gets underway in wake of stunning Parliament Hill attack
    OTTAWA - Canada's seat of government put on a back-slapping display of fortitude and common purpose Thursday as MPs convened in the shadow of a brazen, deadly attack.

    House of Commons gets underway in wake of stunning Parliament Hill attack

    Attack by 'terrorist' on Parliament Hill won't weaken Canada's resolve: Harper

    Attack by 'terrorist' on Parliament Hill won't weaken Canada's resolve: Harper
    OTTAWA - The gunman who staged a deadly attack Wednesday on Parliament Hill was a terrorist whose despicable crime will only harden Canada's resolve to crack down on terrorists at home and abroad, Stephen Harper says.

    Attack by 'terrorist' on Parliament Hill won't weaken Canada's resolve: Harper

    House of Commons resumes in wake of attack

    House of Commons resumes in wake of attack
    OTTAWA - The House of Commons is back in action, kicked off by an exhilarating show of support for the sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons, who was among those who opened fire Wednesday on the gunman who stormed Parliament Hill.

    House of Commons resumes in wake of attack

    Elections BC rules in favour of Kinder Morgan

    Elections BC rules in favour of Kinder Morgan
    VANCOUVER - Elections BC has ruled energy giant Kinder Morgan does not need to register as a third party advertiser in the province's civic election campaign.

    Elections BC rules in favour of Kinder Morgan

    Canada Won't Be Cowed By Terrorist Attack: PM Stephen Harper

    Canada Won't Be Cowed By Terrorist Attack: PM Stephen Harper
    OTTAWA - The gunman who staged a deadly attack Wednesday on Parliament Hill was a terrorist whose despicable crime will only harden Canada's resolve to crack down on terrorists at home and abroad, Stephen Harper says.

    Canada Won't Be Cowed By Terrorist Attack: PM Stephen Harper