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

    Quebec Authorities Raid Uber Offices In Montreal Seeking Tax-related Documents

    Quebec Authorities Raid Uber Offices In Montreal Seeking Tax-related Documents
    MONTREAL — Quebec authorities have raided two Montreal offices of Uber, the company that offers rides at prices lower than typical cab fares.

    Quebec Authorities Raid Uber Offices In Montreal Seeking Tax-related Documents

    More Changes Coming In Wake Of Military Sex Misconduct Report: Ministers

    More Changes Coming In Wake Of Military Sex Misconduct Report: Ministers
    OTTAWA — The military accepts and will implement all 10 recommendations from a hard-hitting report on sexual misconduct in the military, Defence Minister Jason Kenney said Wednesday.

    More Changes Coming In Wake Of Military Sex Misconduct Report: Ministers

    Suspended Senator Back In Court As Sexual Assault Trial Resumes In Quebec

    Suspended Senator Back In Court As Sexual Assault Trial Resumes In Quebec
    GATINEAU, Que. — The defence attorney for suspended senator Patrick Brazeau is continuing his cross-examination of the Crown's main witness at his client's criminal trial, which resumes today after a six-week break.

    Suspended Senator Back In Court As Sexual Assault Trial Resumes In Quebec

    Information Commissioner Wants Mounties Charged; Government Rewrites The Law

    Information Commissioner Wants Mounties Charged; Government Rewrites The Law
    OTTAWA — The federal information commissioner says the Conservative government is setting a "perilous precedent" by retroactively rewriting the law to absolve the RCMP of wrongdoing.

    Information Commissioner Wants Mounties Charged; Government Rewrites The Law

    Leaks, 'Rubble' Spiked Reno Costs For Newfoundland And Labrador Legislature

    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — There are renovation nightmares, and then there's the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature.

    Leaks, 'Rubble' Spiked Reno Costs For Newfoundland And Labrador Legislature

    Private Security Arrangements For Pan Am Games On Budget, TO2015 Says

    TORONTO — Private security arrangements for this summer's Pan Am Games are on budget, organizers said as they announced the latest firm hired to watch over venues across the Greater Toronto Area.

    Private Security Arrangements For Pan Am Games On Budget, TO2015 Says