PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters:

“On this National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters, we stand in solidarity with Canadians at home and around the world who have lost loved ones to these tragedies.

“We solemnly remember the victims of all air disasters, including Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (Flight PS752), Air Ontario Flight 1363, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, and Air India Flight 182.

“Exactly four years ago today, the downing of Flight PS752 by the Islamic Republic of Iran shocked the world. This heartbreaking incident resulted in the loss of 176 lives, including Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and many others with ties to Canada. We are taking concrete action, along with our international partners, to hold Iran accountable for this senseless tragedy. We continue to fight for justice and accountability for families as members of the International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752.

“Today, we are announcing our next step in holding the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable for violating international law by jointly filing our case before the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council pursuant to Article 84 of the Chicago Convention. This is an important step in our commitment to ensuring that the families of the victims impacted by this tragedy get the justice they deserve.

“We are also committed to strengthening the safety and security of air travel for all Canadians, at home and abroad. Last year, as part of our Safer Skies Initiative, Canada partnered with the Netherlands to co-host the third annual Safer Skies Forum, where we joined our international partners in renewing our commitment to better protect civil aircraft from the risks posed by conflict zones. We also continue to advocate for the ICAO to review its aircraft accident investigation framework, to enhance transparency and credibility of investigations.

“We continue to stand with and support the families and loved ones affected by air disasters. Through the Commemorative Scholarship Program launched last October, we will disburse 176 scholarships over five years to honour the memory of victims of Flight PS752. This year, we will award 32 scholarships, including six to candidates with close family ties to the victims of Flight PS752. Last March, we also provided funding to ten organizations through the Commemoration Fund for the Victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Tragedy to support the development of commemorative projects in memory of the victims.

“As we pay tribute to the victims of air disasters, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones. We will continue to work with our partners to create a safer, more peaceful world, where everyone can travel in security.”

PREMIER David Eby said in a statement: “Four years ago today, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a passenger aircraft travelling from Iran to Ukraine. All 176 people aboard Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 were killed, including 55 Canadian citizens, 30 Canadian permanent residents and many others with ties to Canada.

“Several of the victims were from British Columbia. They left behind sorrowful friends and family, as well as legacies of positive contributions to their communities.

“The destruction of Flight 752 caused the greatest loss of Canadian lives in an air disaster since 280 Canadians died in 1985 after a bomb destroyed Air India Flight 182 en route from Toronto to London, England.

“Today, on the fourth National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters, we join loved ones in mourning those lost. This is a solemn day of pain and grief for all those who have lost friends and families in air disasters.

“To honour the memory of the victims of Flight 752, as well as the role of the Iranian diaspora in continuing to support the call for ‘woman, life, freedom’, following the death of Mahsa Amini, our government has pledged to work with the city of North Vancouver to create a permanent monument.

“We stand with the victims’ families in demanding justice following the attack on Flight 752.”

PIERRE Poilievre, Conservative Party Leader said in a statement: “Four years ago today, the IRGC shot down Flight PS752, killing 176 people, including 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents. It was an evil act of mass murder that further underscored what our country has known for a long time – the IRGC is a terrorist group.

“In the days since the attack, the families of the victims have repeatedly called on the Canadian government to criminalize the IRGC and officially list it as a banned terrorist organization in Canada.

“Unfortunately, for four years, the IRGC has been given a safe harbour in Canada. The tyrants in Tehran and the murderers in the IRGC have continued to sow chaos and destruction. A few months ago, the IRGC supported and funded Hamas’ invasion of Israel, instigating sadistic violence against innocent civilians and the murder of several Canadian citizens.

“The government must end the delay. Canada must be a leader in condemning the actions of these terrorists and stand in solidarity with the victims and their families.

“Conservatives will build on the work of the previous Conservative government that officially recognized Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. A Poilievre government will list the IRGC as a banned terrorist organization; we will seize the assets of the Iranian regime in Canada and give them to the families of Flight PS752; we will impose broad and sweeping sanctions to cripple the regime and help pave the way for Iranians to bring home freedom and democracy for their people.

“In the names of the victims of Flight PS752 and the thousands of people who continue to be tormented by the IRGC, we must, and will, do better.”