Friday, July 3, 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

    Google's Eric Schmidt talks about hiring Canadian talent, loving BlackBerry

    Google's Eric Schmidt talks about hiring Canadian talent, loving BlackBerry
    TORONTO - Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt made a rare visit to Canada on Wednesday, to help announce a $1.5 million grant to support the educational charity Actua and speak at an event promoting his new book "How Google Works," written with Jonathan Rosenberg, an adviser to CEO Larry Page.

    Google's Eric Schmidt talks about hiring Canadian talent, loving BlackBerry

    Abbotsford Police Search Man Spotted Carrying Girl Into Bushes

    Abbotsford Police Search Man Spotted Carrying Girl Into Bushes
    ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - Police in Abbotsford, B.C., are searching for a young girl who was last seen lying on the side of a road and being carried off by a man into the bushes.

    Abbotsford Police Search Man Spotted Carrying Girl Into Bushes

    Coffee Club sues rival Keurig, alleges unfair competition over coffee pods

    Coffee Club sues rival Keurig, alleges unfair competition over coffee pods
    TORONTO - A Canadian coffee roaster is suing Keurig Green Mountain, which makes single-serving pods for use in its own brand of brewing machines.

    Coffee Club sues rival Keurig, alleges unfair competition over coffee pods

    Emissions and LNG Tax set for B.C. Fall Sitting

    Emissions and LNG Tax set for B.C. Fall Sitting
    VICTORIA - The issue of a liquefied natural gas tax is set to heat up debate during British Columbia's fall legislative session, but the potentially controversial issue of emissions controls on LNG are also part of the package.

    Emissions and LNG Tax set for B.C. Fall Sitting

    Health Canada bans some drug imports from India; cites quality concerns

    Health Canada bans some drug imports from India; cites quality concerns
    OTTAWA - Health Canada says it is banning imports of some medications and drug ingredients produced in India due to concerns about quality.

    Health Canada bans some drug imports from India; cites quality concerns

    Magnotta trial continues with cross-examination of crime-scene technician

    Magnotta trial continues with cross-examination of crime-scene technician
    MONTREAL - Luka Rocco Magnotta's lawyer is continuing his cross-examination of a Montreal police crime-scene technician today on Day 3 of his client's first-degree murder trial.

    Magnotta trial continues with cross-examination of crime-scene technician