Ottawa, April 5, 2013 - The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, today announced that the Government of Canada has delivered on its commitment to provide an ex gratia payment to the families of the victims of the bombing of Air India Flight 182. This payment is a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the administrative difficulties families faced following the bombing of Air India Flight 182 on June 23, 1985.
"The bombing of Air India Flight 182 was a terrible atrocity and the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history," said Minister Toews. "Despite the years that have passed, the brutality of this senseless and cowardly act still deeply affects those who knew and loved the victims, and serves as a reminder to all Canadians that we are not immune to the threat of terrorism. Preventing future acts of terrorism is the greatest tribute we can offer to these victims and their families."
All applications have been processed and all payments have been made to the eligible applicants. The program is now closed. Remaining funds unused for the Ex Gratia Payment program have been allotted to the Kanishka Project, in keeping with the spirit of these initiatives to honour the Air India victims. The Kanishka Project will invest in research on terrorism, and strives to create a vibrant network of scholars that will inform more effective policies for preventing and countering terrorism affecting Canada.
