Hon. Andrew Cardozo: My question is for the Government Representative. June 23 marked the fortieth anniversary of the killing of 268 Canadians and 61 citizens of other countries in the bombing of a passenger plane off the coast of Ireland. On Monday, it was an honour for me to be at the ceremony marking this occasion.
Law enforcement investigations were badly handled, and despite various reviews, the truth has never been fully uncovered and the perpetrators were not held to account.
The families of the victims are concerned that this tragedy is being papered over, even though we know the bombs that exploded on the Air India plane and at Narita Airport were made by Canadians on Canadian soil.
The families request that the Canadian Museum of History organize a permanent display of this Canadian tragedy. I’m asking you to convey this request to the president of the museum as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture to ensure that the lives of these Canadian victims will be honoured appropriately.
Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I certainly will, senator. The one thing that I can say is that this was the most deadly attack in our country’s history, and the victims will never be forgotten. I certainly will bring this to the attention of the minister and others, as you requested.
Hon. Andrew Cardozo: Thank you for your sensitivity to this issue, Senator Gold. This might be my last supplementary question, so thank you for your service to us.
This week, the RCMP revealed they know the identity of a third person involved in this disgraceful crime, and they have called him Mr. X, even though he’s deceased. I’m asking that the identity of this person be revealed. It’s the right of the Canadian families to know all there is to know about this Canadian tragedy. Could you ask the Minister of Public Safety to ensure this name is publicly revealed as soon as possible?
Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I’ll certainly raise your concern with the minister, and the minister will make the appropriate decision.