Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 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

    Lightning, Dry Temperatures Keep B.C. Fire Crews Busy Fighting New Blazes

    Lightning, Dry Temperatures Keep B.C. Fire Crews Busy Fighting New Blazes
    PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Firefighters continue to battle a growing wildfire southwest of Prince George, B.C., but cooler weather earlier this week is expected to keep it from spreading while lightning poses a continuing threat.

    Lightning, Dry Temperatures Keep B.C. Fire Crews Busy Fighting New Blazes

    Prince Rupert Port's $90-Million Road, Rail Project Complete

    Prince Rupert Port's $90-Million Road, Rail Project Complete
    The last spike has been driven into a $90-million road and rail corridor project in Prince Rupert, B.C., that politicians and business leaders say will boost Canada's trade capacity with Asia-Pacific markets.

    Prince Rupert Port's $90-Million Road, Rail Project Complete

    Saudi-Born Dad Named 'Guardian' Of Adopted-Out Daughter: B.C. Court Of Appeal

    Saudi-Born Dad Named 'Guardian' Of Adopted-Out Daughter: B.C. Court Of Appeal
    VANCOUVER — British Columbia's highest court has granted guardianship rights to a Saudi man whose infant daughter was put up for adoption by her drug-addicted mother.

    Saudi-Born Dad Named 'Guardian' Of Adopted-Out Daughter: B.C. Court Of Appeal

    Canadian Accused In Boy's Death In St. Lucia Makes Bid To Have Charge Dismissed

    Canadian Accused In Boy's Death In St. Lucia Makes Bid To Have Charge Dismissed
    A Canadian man accused in the drowning of a four-year-old boy in St. Lucia is hoping his name will soon be cleared as he makes one last bid to have the charge dismissed. 

    Canadian Accused In Boy's Death In St. Lucia Makes Bid To Have Charge Dismissed

    4 More Beaches, Marinas In Manitoba And Ontario Earn Blue Flag Eco-Certification

    4 More Beaches, Marinas In Manitoba And Ontario Earn Blue Flag Eco-Certification
    TORONTO — Four beaches and marinas in Manitoba and Ontario have been added to a growing list of Canadian locales with Blue Flag status.

    4 More Beaches, Marinas In Manitoba And Ontario Earn Blue Flag Eco-Certification

    Homicide Investigators Summoned To Richmond After Dead Body Found On Woodhead Road

    Homicide Investigators Summoned To Richmond After Dead Body Found On Woodhead Road
    RCMP say the body was discovered on Woodhead Road near No. 5 Road just after 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

    Homicide Investigators Summoned To Richmond After Dead Body Found On Woodhead Road