Close X
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
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

    Whistler Stabbing: Two 17-Year-Olds Charged In Luka Gordic's Death Granted Bail

    Whistler Stabbing: Two 17-Year-Olds Charged In Luka Gordic's Death Granted Bail
    Three of the suspects, who are 17, were charged after Luka Gordic was pronounced dead at a local clinic following violence that erupted last Sunday.

    Whistler Stabbing: Two 17-Year-Olds Charged In Luka Gordic's Death Granted Bail

    'Some B.C. Elderly Giving Up Basic Needs To Afford Housing'

    'Some B.C. Elderly Giving Up Basic Needs To Afford Housing'
    VANCOUVER — B.C.'s seniors' advocate is urging the provincial government to accept 18 recommendations to make housing more affordable, available and appropriate for the province's elderly.

    'Some B.C. Elderly Giving Up Basic Needs To Afford Housing'

    Chilliwack Police Looking For Two Male Child-Luring Suspects

    Chilliwack Police Looking For Two Male Child-Luring Suspects
    RCMP Cpl. Mike Rail says in a news release that on April 30 an older man driving a red van offered candy to an 11-year-old girl who ran away to a friend's house.

    Chilliwack Police Looking For Two Male Child-Luring Suspects

    Man Sues B.C. Rodeo Company, Says Bull Called Slow Poke Was Violent Despite Name

    Man Sues B.C. Rodeo Company, Says Bull Called Slow Poke Was Violent Despite Name
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A novice rider is suing a rodeo company in Vernon, B.C., over a bull named Slow Poke that he alleges failed to live up to its name and caused him serious injury.

    Man Sues B.C. Rodeo Company, Says Bull Called Slow Poke Was Violent Despite Name

    Long-Term Offender Robert Semchuk To Live In B.C. Halfway House Under Seven Strict Conditions

    Long-Term Offender Robert Semchuk To Live In B.C. Halfway House Under Seven Strict Conditions
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A designated long-term offender who stabbed a 60-year-old woman outside a Kamloops, B.C., hospital has been ordered to live in a halfway house for the foreseeable future.

    Long-Term Offender Robert Semchuk To Live In B.C. Halfway House Under Seven Strict Conditions

    Woman Travels Back Home To Ireland From Canada To Campaign For Same-Sex Marriage

    Woman Travels Back Home To Ireland From Canada To Campaign For Same-Sex Marriage
    The 25-year-old began forming her plans as soon as she heard that her home country of Ireland was preparing to hold a constitutional referendum on the status of same-sex marriage.

    Woman Travels Back Home To Ireland From Canada To Campaign For Same-Sex Marriage