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

    'Allahu Akbar': B.C. Man John Nuttall Praised Allah After Planting Bombs At Legislature On Canada Da

    VANCOUVER — An accused terrorist praised Allah after allegedly planting homemade pressure-cooker bombs on the lawn of the B.C. legislature on Canada Day.

    'Allahu Akbar': B.C. Man John Nuttall Praised Allah After Planting Bombs At Legislature On Canada Da

    Harper Extends Term Of Gov. Gen. David Johnston By Two More Years

    OTTAWA — Gov. Gen. David Johnston's term of office has been extended to September 2017, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday.

    Harper Extends Term Of Gov. Gen. David Johnston By Two More Years

    Federal Politicians Accuse Each Other Of Race-Baiting 'Dog Whistle Politics'

    OTTAWA — Is Canadian politics going to the dogs? Politicians seem to think so, judging by the sudden zeal with which they're accusing each other of practising "dog-whistle politics."

    Federal Politicians Accuse Each Other Of Race-Baiting 'Dog Whistle Politics'

    Wounded Vets And Families To See Improved Access To Allowances; New Benefits

    Wounded Vets And Families To See Improved Access To Allowances; New Benefits
    VANCOUVER — The latest initiatives in the Harper government's bridge rebuilding exercise with veterans comes with promises to improve access to an allowance for the most seriously wounded soldiers and to create a new benefit for caregivers.

    Wounded Vets And Families To See Improved Access To Allowances; New Benefits

    BC Terrorism Suspect 'Panicked' In Hours Before Attack

    John Nuttall and Amanda Korody were captured on video at a hotel on Vancouver Island in the early morning of July 1, 2013 — the day the Crown alleges they planned to detonate pressure-cooker bombs.

    BC Terrorism Suspect 'Panicked' In Hours Before Attack

    BC Announces 10-year Transportation Plan To Maintain, Replace Infrastructure

    BC Announces 10-year Transportation Plan To Maintain, Replace Infrastructure
    The Transportation Ministry says the strategy involves input from First Nations, local governments, chambers of commerce and port and airport authorities.

    BC Announces 10-year Transportation Plan To Maintain, Replace Infrastructure