Close X
Wednesday, November 20, 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

    Two accused in alleged Halifax shopping mall threat face more charges

    Two accused in alleged Halifax shopping mall threat face more charges
    HALIFAX — Two people accused of plotting to open fire in a Halifax shopping mall now face more charges.

    Two accused in alleged Halifax shopping mall threat face more charges

    Canadian home sales slip lower in January, Canadian Real Estate Association says

    Canadian home sales slip lower in January, Canadian Real Estate Association says
    OTTAWA — Home sales slipped lower in January for the second month in a row, with a slowdown in Calgary and Edmonton responsible for much of the decline.

    Canadian home sales slip lower in January, Canadian Real Estate Association says

    Budget office's duelling estimate for Canada's war in Iraq? $122M to $166M

    Budget office's duelling estimate for Canada's war in Iraq? $122M to $166M
    OTTAWA — Canada's parliamentary budget officer was largely stonewalled in his efforts to put a price tag on the combat mission in Iraq, prompting the fiscal watchdog to call for changes to the law that governs his agency.

    Budget office's duelling estimate for Canada's war in Iraq? $122M to $166M

    A cryptic case: Canadian spies seek own cemetery in the national capital

    A cryptic case: Canadian spies seek own cemetery in the national capital
    OTTAWA — It looks like one of Canada's most historic graveyards is about to get a little, um, spookier.

    A cryptic case: Canadian spies seek own cemetery in the national capital

    Liberal MP calls for assurances that ministers tweet in both official languages

    Liberal MP calls for assurances that ministers tweet in both official languages
    OTTAWA — A veteran Liberal MP has written to Treasury Board President Tony Clement seeking assurances that federal ministers communicate in both official languages on social media networks like Twitter.

    Liberal MP calls for assurances that ministers tweet in both official languages

    Frigate deputy commander charged with drunkenness and disobeying orders

    Frigate deputy commander charged with drunkenness and disobeying orders
    OTTAWA — The former second-in-command of a Canadian warship has been charged with disobeying orders and drunkenness.

    Frigate deputy commander charged with drunkenness and disobeying orders