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Government of Canada to mark the 20th anniversary of the Air India tragedy

Ottawa, June 22, 2005 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced today a number of memorial activities taking place tomorrow as Canada marks the 20th anniversary of the bombing of Air India flight 182.

In Ireland, the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Paul Martin, is leading a Canadian delegation to join family members of the victims and Irish citizens in memorial services near the site where the plane went down. Members of the Canadian delegation include: Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada; Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Québécois; Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada; and Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia.

In remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the Air India tragedy, all flags at federal government sites will fly at half-mast and family members of the victims are being invited to the House of Commons to hear the Deputy Prime Minister and several Members of Parliament make statements in memory of the tragedy. The statements will be followed by a minute of silence in the House.

“Twenty years after this tragic event in Canadian history, our thoughts continue to be with the victims’ families. These symbols of remembrance will serve to pay homage to the memory of the victims of the worst terrorist incident in Canadian history,” said Minister McLellan.

The Deputy Prime Minister also announced that the Government would work with Mr. Bob Rae, Independent Advisor on the Air India Tragedy, and family members on how best to commemorate permanently the Air India victims. Currently, there are memorial plaques in Ottawa and Toronto, and a memorial garden in Ahakista, Ireland. Provincial and municipal officials will also be part of the planning process.

For more information:

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

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