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

    No Plans To Lift Restrictions On Gay Blood Donors: Canadian Blood Services

    No Plans To Lift Restrictions On Gay Blood Donors: Canadian Blood Services
    MONTREAL - The agency responsible for Canada's blood supply says there are no immediate plans to further relax restrictions on gay and bisexual blood donors despite the fact officials are testing the waters on the idea.

    No Plans To Lift Restrictions On Gay Blood Donors: Canadian Blood Services

    PM Harper sets November date for federal byelections in Ontario and Alberta

    PM Harper sets November date for federal byelections in Ontario and Alberta
    OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has set Nov. 17 for two federal byelections in Ontario and Alberta, including the seat occupied by late finance minister Jim Flaherty.

    PM Harper sets November date for federal byelections in Ontario and Alberta

    Lax climate policy hasn't resulted in 'energy super power' status for Canada

    Lax climate policy hasn't resulted in 'energy super power' status for Canada
    OTTAWA - When the federal environment commissioner reported this week that Canada would not meet its 2020 international commitment on greenhouse gas emission cuts, no one was surprised.

    Lax climate policy hasn't resulted in 'energy super power' status for Canada

    How Terrorists Attract Lone Wolf Attackers

    How Terrorists Attract Lone Wolf Attackers
    Magazines of some of the world's most dreaded terrorist organisations are experimenting with strategies to increase motivation for lone wolf attacks, new research has found.

    How Terrorists Attract Lone Wolf Attackers

    Slocan Manhunt: Police Continue Search For Peter DeGroot Many Residents Being Allowed Home

    Slocan Manhunt: Police Continue Search For Peter DeGroot  Many Residents Being Allowed Home
    SLOCAN CITY, B.C. - The man at the centre of an RCMP manhunt in this small B.C. community is being described by his neighbours as someone who loves his animals but was a loner.

    Slocan Manhunt: Police Continue Search For Peter DeGroot Many Residents Being Allowed Home

    Hang On To Your Wallet And Put On An Extra Sweater For 'T-rex' Of Winters

    Hang On To Your Wallet And Put On An Extra Sweater For 'T-rex' Of Winters
    Energy industry players say they've learned from last year's so-called polar vortex and are bracing for what the Farmer's Almanac says will be another bitterly cold season — one that's already being dubbed the "T-Rex" of winters.

    Hang On To Your Wallet And Put On An Extra Sweater For 'T-rex' Of Winters