News Release – Minister Kenney honours the victims of the terrorist attack on Air India Flight 182

Minister Kenney lays a wreath on behalf of the government and people of Canada at the Air India Memorial Garden in Ahakista, Ireland.

Ahakista, June 23, 2010 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, today marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the terrorist attack on Air India Flight 182 by laying a wreath in memory of the victims on the southern coast of Ireland, near the site of the bombing. Minister Kenney participated in a ceremony attended by members of the victims’ families as well as members of the local community who witnessed the attack and took part in the recovery process.

“It is an honour to stand together with the families of those who perished and with members of the Ahakista community to remember and honour the victims of this act of terrorism.  The Government of Canada continues to work against terrorism and we commit to never forgetting its victims,” said Minister Kenney.

On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 left Canada en route to London. Explosives detonated onboard off the coast of Ireland, taking the lives of all 329 people onboard, including 280 Canadians. The bombing is the worst act of terrorism in Canadian history.

Ceremonies are also being held in Canada at the Ottawa and Vancouver memorials, in addition to a national ceremony at the Toronto memorial.

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For further information (media only), please contact:

Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca