Thursday, July 9, 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 accused of stabbing 5 people to death in Calgary faces another delay

    Man accused of stabbing 5 people to death in Calgary faces another delay
    A psychiatric assessment for a man accused of stabbing five young people to death at a house party in Calgary has been done but the final report is not yet complete.

    Man accused of stabbing 5 people to death in Calgary faces another delay

    Trudeau 50 years late on shale gas, New Brunswick Premier David Alward says

    Trudeau 50 years late on shale gas, New Brunswick Premier David Alward says
    Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is a half century behind when he says there should be greater scientific study before the shale gas industry expands, Premier David Alward said Thursday.

    Trudeau 50 years late on shale gas, New Brunswick Premier David Alward says

    Christy Clark says talk about the Constitution won't happen at premiers meeting

    Christy Clark says talk about the Constitution won't happen at premiers meeting
    British Columbia Premier Christy Clark says there's little chance Canada's premiers will talk about bringing Quebec into the Constitution at their annual meeting in Charlottetown.

    Christy Clark says talk about the Constitution won't happen at premiers meeting

    Brad Wall says time to scrap 'dumb' trade rules as West launches review

    Brad Wall says time to scrap 'dumb' trade rules as West launches review
    The premiers of Canada's three western provinces announced Thursday they're going to review the remaining trade barriers between them as part of their New West Partnership.

    Brad Wall says time to scrap 'dumb' trade rules as West launches review

    Canada's jets, part of NATO mission, edge closer to Russian airspace

    Canada's jets, part of NATO mission, edge closer to Russian airspace
    Canadian fighter jets will be patrolling the edge of Russian airspace next week as part of NATO's response to the unravelling situation in Ukraine.

    Canada's jets, part of NATO mission, edge closer to Russian airspace

    Earl and countess of Wessex to tour B.C., Saskatchewan, northern Ontario

    Earl and countess of Wessex to tour B.C., Saskatchewan, northern Ontario
    Royalty is set to arrive in British Columbia in September before visits to Saskatchewan and Ontario.

    Earl and countess of Wessex to tour B.C., Saskatchewan, northern Ontario