Today is the 34th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182, as well as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.

To commemorate these two occasions, B.C. premier John Horgan issued the following statement:

“Thirty-four years ago, the world was shocked by the news that a bomb had exploded aboard an Air India flight from Canada to India. It remains the worst act of terrorism in Canadian history, killing all 329 passengers and crew, including 280 Canadians.

“Today across the country, flags will fly at half-mast to honour the lives of all Canadians affected by terrorism. Together, we remember the people who were taken from their friends, families and communities, as well as the survivors who live every day with trauma and injuries.

“In Canada and around the globe, extremist violence and hate is on the rise, fuelled by those who use prejudice and racism as tools for political gain. As we mourn the lives lost to acts of terrorism, we commit to stand together against hatred and violence in all its forms. People deserve to feel safe in their communities, homes and places of worship.

“Our lives are made better by the inclusive, multicultural province and country we are so fortunate to live in. We cannot allow those who spread hate to take this from us.

“Today and every day, our government will defend the values of diversity, equality and mutual respect as we work together to build a better province and a more peaceful world.”

An event honouring those who lost their lives on the Air India flight will take place this evening at the Air India Memorial monument in Vancouver's Stanley Park, overlooking Ceperley Field.

This evening at 6:30 p.m., Health Minister Adrian Dix will be among those attending the commemoration.

Dix's wife, poet Renée Sarojini Saklikar, lost an aunt and uncle on Air India Flight 182.

The names of her relatives, Dr. Zebunnisa Jethwa and Dr. Umar Jethwa, are inscibed along with the names of the 327 other passengers and crew on the memorial.

The names of two Japanese baggage handlers who were killed by a second bomb that went off that day at Narita Airport also appear on the memorial.