Home Programs National security Air India review Background

Background

On June 23, 1985, a bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182 en route from Toronto to London, England killing all 329 people aboard, most of them Canadians. Twenty years later, the Air India bombing is still the worst terrorist incident in Canadian history.

Since that terrible day in June 1985, the Government of Canada has worked to investigate the crash of Flight 182, to bring the perpetrators of this act to justice, and to make the necessary changes to our policies, regulations and legislation to safeguard Canadians from terror. The Government has also continually adjusted its approach to airline and national security, and security intelligence.

Today the RCMP continues its investigations related to the Air India crash and the Government has committed itself to responding effectively the needs of the families, as well as the broader public.

• Deputy Prime Minister's comments regarding the 1985 tragedy of Air India Flight 182
  Source: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
  Date: April 7, 2005
  
  
  
• Speaking notes for The Honourable Anne McLellan during Opposition Day on the Air India investigation
  Source: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
  Date: April 7, 2005

20th anniversary

June 23, 2005 was the 20th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182. To mark this day, many relatives of the victims joined the Prime Minister, representatives of the three opposition parties and the Premier of British Columbia at a special commemorative service in Ireland.

Family members who did not go to Ireland were invited to Ottawa for a special tribute in the House of Commons, which included statements by the Deputy Prime Minister and Members of Parliament as well as a moment of silence.

In addition, flags at Government of Canada sites were lowered to half-mast on June 23, 2005.

• Address by Prime Minister Paul Martin at the Air India Memorial Ceremony
  Source: Office of the Prime Minister
  Date: June 23, 2005
  
  
• Speaking notes for the Honourable Anne McLellan on the Air India Memorial
  Source: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
  Date: June 23, 2005
  
  
• Prime Minister pays Canadians’ respects to victims of the Air India disaster
  Source: Office of the Prime Minister
  Date: June 22, 2005
  
  
• Government of Canada to mark the 20th anniversary of the Air India tragedy
  Source: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
  Date: June 22, 2005