Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 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

    Alleged NDP misuse of taxpayer dollars could yet be turned over to police

    Alleged NDP misuse of taxpayer dollars could yet be turned over to police
    OTTAWA — Police may yet be called in to investigate dozens of New Democrat MPs who used taxpayers' dollars to pay the salaries of aides working in satellite party offices.

    Alleged NDP misuse of taxpayer dollars could yet be turned over to police

    Increasing TFSA contribution limits a 'ticking time bomb': Broadbent Institute

    Increasing TFSA contribution limits a 'ticking time bomb': Broadbent Institute
    OTTAWA — A new study says the Conservative government's plans to double contribution limits for tax-free savings accounts would cost billions in lost tax revenue and primarily line the pockets of wealthy Canadians.

    Increasing TFSA contribution limits a 'ticking time bomb': Broadbent Institute

    No way to craft new law on doc-assisted death in 12 months: Tory MPs

    No way to craft new law on doc-assisted death in 12 months: Tory MPs
    OTTAWA — Some Conservative backbenchers want more time to ponder the issue of doctor-assisted dying than the 12 months allotted by the Supreme Court.

    No way to craft new law on doc-assisted death in 12 months: Tory MPs

    Dechert backs off on asking to extended doctor-assisted death deadline

    Dechert backs off on asking to extended doctor-assisted death deadline
    OTTAWA — The Harper government is sending mixed signals about whether it intends to meet the Supreme Court's 12-month deadline for crafting a new law on doctor-assisted death.

    Dechert backs off on asking to extended doctor-assisted death deadline

    Montreal police treat vehicles spray painted with red swastikas as hate crime

    Montreal police treat vehicles spray painted with red swastikas as hate crime
    Montreal police say they're treating the spray painting of vehicles with red swastikas in an apartment garage as a hate crime.

    Montreal police treat vehicles spray painted with red swastikas as hate crime

    Great balls of fire! Flash across Calgary night sky turns out to be rocket body

    Great balls of fire! Flash across Calgary night sky turns out to be rocket body
    CALGARY — A Calgary photographer who captured a fireball streaking across the night sky says he thought he'd witnessed a plane crashing or a meteor breaking up.

    Great balls of fire! Flash across Calgary night sky turns out to be rocket body