Close X
Friday, November 15, 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

    Nova Scotia Government Repeals Guardian Law For 'Habitual Drunkards'

    Nova Scotia Government Repeals Guardian Law For 'Habitual Drunkards'
    HALIFAX — Nova Scotia is repealing 16 laws including one that allows for the appointment of guardians for "habitual drunkards" declared by the courts to be incapable of managing their business affairs.

    Nova Scotia Government Repeals Guardian Law For 'Habitual Drunkards'

    Harper Attends Summit Of The Americas In Panama

    Harper Attends Summit Of The Americas In Panama
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is on his way to the Summit of the Americas in Panama today, looking to speak with Cuba's president and promote Canadian business ties with Latin America.

    Harper Attends Summit Of The Americas In Panama

    Site C Construction To Start In Summer Despite Legal Hurdles, Predicts Minister

    Site C Construction To Start In Summer Despite Legal Hurdles, Predicts Minister
    VANCOUVER — Two weeks before farmers and First Nations press the courts to block the Site C dam from transforming a thriving stretch of river in northeastern British Columbia, the minister responsible has boldly forecast away any obstacles.

    Site C Construction To Start In Summer Despite Legal Hurdles, Predicts Minister

    Arthur Porter Invites Harper To Visit Him In Jail During PM's Visit To Panama

    OTTAWA — When Stephen Harper arrives in Panama on Friday it will bring him within a short drive of a man he'd probably rather forget: alleged fraudster Arthur Porter.

    Arthur Porter Invites Harper To Visit Him In Jail During PM's Visit To Panama

    Oilsands Vs. Carbon-Cutting Policy Co-exist: Experts Look For A Middle Way

    Oilsands Vs. Carbon-Cutting Policy Co-exist: Experts Look For A Middle Way
    OTTAWA — Another day, another skirmish in the all-or-nothing, zero-sum war over Canadian environment and energy policy.

    Oilsands Vs. Carbon-Cutting Policy Co-exist: Experts Look For A Middle Way

    Three People Stabbed Outside Vancouver Church, Suspect Killed By Police; Community 'Shaken'

    Three People Stabbed Outside Vancouver Church, Suspect Killed By Police; Community 'Shaken'
    VANCOUVER — A knife-wielding man who stabbed three people on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside was shot and killed by police when less-lethal weapons proved ineffective, says a spokesman for the department.

    Three People Stabbed Outside Vancouver Church, Suspect Killed By Police; Community 'Shaken'