Ottawa: The Canadian government “unequivocally stands against terrorism,” according to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who called the Air India 182 Kanishka bombing the “deadliest attack” in the nation’s history.
“Canada experienced the deadliest terrorist attack in its history forty years ago,” Carney said in a post on X. Today serves as a somber reminder of our resolve to combat violent extremism and ensure the safety of Canadians as we grieve the 268 Canadians lost in the Air India tragedy and all those slain in terrorist attacks.
40 years ago, Canada faced the deadliest terrorist attack in its history.
Today, we mourn the 268 Canadian victims of the Air India bombing and all who have been killed in acts of terrorism — a sombre reminder of our commitment to fight violent extremism and keep Canadians… https://t.co/05nBiuLkYK— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 23, 2025
Babbar Khalsa, a Khalistani terrorist organization headquartered in Canada, destroyed Air India Flight 182 near Cork on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board.
In order to identify, stop, and address the danger of terrorism and violent extremism, Mark Carney reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to cooperating with its partners and allies.
“We remember the victims of the Air India bombing and all others who have lost their lives to terrorism as we mark the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism,” Carney said in a statement on the occasion. In order to effectively identify, stop, and address the danger of terrorism and violent extremism, Canada will keep collaborating with its friends and partners both domestically and internationally.
“Canada’s new government unequivocally stands against terrorism, and we will deliver on our mandate of change to keep communities safe,” he said.
Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, referred to the Kanishka bombing as “the worst mass murder” in history. He affirmed the Conservative Party’s dedication to thwarting terrorists, safeguarding the defenseless, and preserving liberty.
Today we remember the 329 innocent lives lost in the Air India Flight 182 bombing—most of them Canadians. It remains the worst mass murder in our history.
On the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, we remember these souls and resolve to fight terrorism at home…
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) June 23, 2025
“We commemorate today the 329 innocent people, the most of them were Canadians, who perished in the bombing of Air India Flight 182. It continues to be the most horrific mass killing in our history. We honor their lives on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism and pledge to combat terrorism in all of its manifestations both domestically and internationally. Poilievre wrote on X that “Canada’s Conservatives will always be committed to defeating terrorism, protecting the innocent, and upholding freedom.”
Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, joined Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin and Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday at the Ahakista Memorial in Ireland to honor the Kanishka victims. The three leaders honored the victims by laying a wreath at the Ahakiska Memorial during the occasion.
Councillor Joe Carroll, the County of Cork’s Mayor, lay a wreath at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork aonthe occasion. To honor the victims of the Kanishka bombing, scores of people turned out. At the Ahakista Memorial in Cork, schoolchildren also sang songs in remembrance of the deaths.
