Close X
Monday, November 18, 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

    Vancouver Canucks Fall Flat In 6-2 Loss To Columbus Blue Jackets

    Vancouver Canucks Fall Flat In 6-2 Loss To Columbus Blue Jackets
    Trailing the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 after blowing a 2-0 lead, they had plenty of time to get back in a game that was critical in the tight Western Conference playoff race.

    Vancouver Canucks Fall Flat In 6-2 Loss To Columbus Blue Jackets

    Federal Opposition Wants Emergency Debate On Sea Ice After Another Record Low

    Federal Opposition Wants Emergency Debate On Sea Ice After Another Record Low
    OTTAWA — The federal New Democrats say a new record low in Arctic sea ice should spark an emergency debate in Parliament.

    Federal Opposition Wants Emergency Debate On Sea Ice After Another Record Low

    Pilots Blamed For Canadian Chopper Crash In Afghanistan Four Years Ago

    Pilots Blamed For Canadian Chopper Crash In Afghanistan Four Years Ago
    TORONTO — A Canadian Forces helicopter crash in Afghanistan almost four years ago was the result of pilot error.

    Pilots Blamed For Canadian Chopper Crash In Afghanistan Four Years Ago

    B.C. Aboriginal Band Enacts Laws To Govern Territory After Historic Court Win

    B.C. Aboriginal Band Enacts Laws To Govern Territory After Historic Court Win
    WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — A British Columbia aboriginal nation granted rights and title by Canada's high court has introduced its own laws governing its territory and resources within the area.

    B.C. Aboriginal Band Enacts Laws To Govern Territory After Historic Court Win

    Former Quebec Judge Says He Helped His Wife Commit Suicide But Didn't Kill Her

    Former Quebec Judge Says He Helped His Wife Commit Suicide But Didn't Kill Her
    MONTREAL — The only Canadian judge ever convicted of first-degree murder has told the CBC from behind bars that he hid from the court his role in helping his disabled wife commit suicide.

    Former Quebec Judge Says He Helped His Wife Commit Suicide But Didn't Kill Her

    Judge Says Mountie In Dziekanski Case Lied At Public Inquiry

    Judge Says Mountie In Dziekanski Case Lied At Public Inquiry
    VANCOUVER — A former Mountie who was involved in Robert Dziekanski's death and was later held up by the force as an example of a bad apple within its ranks was convicted Friday of perjury for his testimony at a public inquiry.

    Judge Says Mountie In Dziekanski Case Lied At Public Inquiry