Home Newsroom 2005 News releases (archive) 2005-04-26: Appointment of independent advisor on the Air India tragedy

Minister McLellan announces appointment of independent advisor on the Air India tragedy

Ottawa, April 26, 2005 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today announced that the Honourable Bob Rae will be providing her with independent advice in respect of the terrorist bombing in 1985 of Air India flight 182.

“The tragedy that befell Air India flight 182 was an act of terrorism that touched all Canadians and no more so than for those who lost family and friends,” stated the Minister. “Significant efforts have gone into investigating the circumstances that led to this tragedy, to transforming our public safety systems and to bring to justice those responsible. I want to build on these efforts so that we can move forward, resolving, for the families and for all Canadians, any remaining public interest questions.”

In providing advice to the Minister, Mr. Rae is being asked to review the extensive material related to the follow-up to the Air India bombing, including domestic and international matters; the findings and recommendations of investigative inquiries such as those conducted by the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) and the Canadian Aviation Safety Board; and transportation and security measures (including law enforcement and intelligence) taken by departments and agencies of the Government of Canada since 1985. He will consult with relevant persons, including family members of the victims of the Air India bombing and government officials, and provide advice in relation to outstanding questions of public interest that could be answered today.

“Only when we have a good understanding of any outstanding questions that can reasonably be answered now can we decide on the next steps, but I want to emphasize that I am open to all options,” Minister McLellan said.

Mr. Rae has had a distinguished career in the public and private sectors. Currently he is a partner in Goodmans, an international law firm. His clients include companies, trade unions, charitable and non-governmental organizations, and governments themselves. He is President, and past-Chairman, of the Forum of Federations.

Mr. Rae served as Premier of Ontario and was elected eight times to federal and provincial office before his retirement from politics in 1996. He was appointed member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada in 1998 and served as a member of the Canada Transportation Act Review and SIRC. He was the Chief Negotiator of the Canadian Red Cross Society in its restructuring. He has a B.A. and an LLB from the University of Toronto and was a Rhodes Scholar. He obtained an M. Phil degree from Oxford University in 1971 and was named a Queen’s Counsel in 1984.

For more information:

Alex Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(613) 991-0657