Thursday, July 2, 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 Survives B.C. Grizzly Bear Mauling, Shot In Rescue Attempt

    Man Survives B.C. Grizzly Bear Mauling, Shot In Rescue Attempt
    FERNIE, B.C. - A 56-year-old man is recovering in a Calgary hospital after getting mauled by a grizzly bear while hunting Sunday morning near the southern B.C. town of Fernie.

    Man Survives B.C. Grizzly Bear Mauling, Shot In Rescue Attempt

    Ontario: Homicide Squad Called In After 3 People Found Dead In Brampton Home

    Ontario: Homicide Squad Called In After 3 People Found Dead In Brampton Home
    BRAMPTON, Ont. - Police in southern Ontario are investigating after three people were found dead inside a home in Brampton, northwest of Toronto.

    Ontario: Homicide Squad Called In After 3 People Found Dead In Brampton Home

    BC Lions Look To End Losing Streak Against Redblacks Who Hope To Play Spoiler

    BC Lions Look To End Losing Streak Against Redblacks Who Hope To Play Spoiler
    VANCOUVER - B.C. coach Mike Benevides was not shedding much light on his roster as the Lions prepared for Saturday's game against the Ottawa Redblacks — but one thing was already clear.

    BC Lions Look To End Losing Streak Against Redblacks Who Hope To Play Spoiler

    Attempt to be made Sunday to put out fire at Saskatchewan gas pumping station

    Attempt to be made Sunday to put out fire at Saskatchewan gas pumping station
    PRUDHOMME, Sask. - An attempt is to be made on Sunday to turn off gas feeding a fire at a remote natural gas pumping station in Saskatchewan that prompted an evacuation.

    Attempt to be made Sunday to put out fire at Saskatchewan gas pumping station

    Should Canada Allow Contraceptives For Dogs And Cats? Yes, Says One Vet

    Should Canada Allow Contraceptives For Dogs And Cats? Yes, Says One Vet
    One day, sterilizing your pet could be as simple as taking them to the vet for their annual shots. For Dr. Judith Samson-French — who jokingly calls herself "the queen of contraception" — a less-invasive alternative to putting Felix or Fido under the knife should be an option that any veterinarian in Canada could offer.

    Should Canada Allow Contraceptives For Dogs And Cats? Yes, Says One Vet

    Pope Francis Says Thanksgiving Mass For 2 Saints Who Spread Faith In Canada

    VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis held a Mass of thanksgiving alongside Quebec Cardinal Gerald Lacroix on Sunday for the canonization of two 17th-century missionaries who spread Roman Catholicism through what is today Canada.

    Pope Francis Says Thanksgiving Mass For 2 Saints Who Spread Faith In Canada