Close X
Friday, November 1, 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

    B.C.'s Auditor General Urges Public Updates, Targets On Long-term Budget Plans

    B.C.'s Auditor General Urges Public Updates, Targets On Long-term Budget Plans
    VICTORIA — British Columbia's auditor general says the government needs to look deeper into the future before creating budget plans for proposed programs.

    B.C.'s Auditor General Urges Public Updates, Targets On Long-term Budget Plans

    New Tim Hortons CEO Daniel Schwartz Focuses On Efficiency, Cost-Cutting

    New Tim Hortons CEO Daniel Schwartz Focuses On Efficiency, Cost-Cutting
    TORONTO — New CEO Daniel Schwartz told Tim Hortons Inc. shareholders on Wednesday that he's focused on building profits, cutting costs and improving efficiency at the coffee chain his company purchased last year.

    New Tim Hortons CEO Daniel Schwartz Focuses On Efficiency, Cost-Cutting

    IATA Pauses Voluntary Plan To Shrink The Size Of Permitted Carry-On Luggage

    IATA Pauses Voluntary Plan To Shrink The Size Of Permitted Carry-On Luggage
    MONTREAL — A global airline association is rethinking its efforts to shrink the size of carry-on luggage permitted on planes.

    IATA Pauses Voluntary Plan To Shrink The Size Of Permitted Carry-On Luggage

    Report Recommends End To Canada Savings Bonds And Canada Premium Bonds

    Report Recommends End To Canada Savings Bonds And Canada Premium Bonds
    OTTAWA — A report prepared for the federal Finance Department by KPMG recommends the government wind down the program that sells Canada Savings Bonds and Canada Premium Bonds.

    Report Recommends End To Canada Savings Bonds And Canada Premium Bonds

    Funeral Procession Winds Through A Quiet Downtown Edmonton For Slain Officer

    Funeral Procession Winds Through A Quiet Downtown Edmonton For Slain Officer
    A colourful procession that began at the provincial legislature wound through the downtown core with marchers in dress uniforms of blue, red, green and black.

    Funeral Procession Winds Through A Quiet Downtown Edmonton For Slain Officer

    'You Truly Think You Can Take It To Your Grave:' Player Recalls Abuse By Former Hockey Coach

    CALGARY — Todd Holt says the scars from being sexually abused by former junior hockey coach Graham James will never fade, but every new accuser that comes forward helps lessen the load.

    'You Truly Think You Can Take It To Your Grave:' Player Recalls Abuse By Former Hockey Coach