Step inside the vegetable garden welcoming immigrants and building community in Montreal
A garden in Montreal's Parc-Extension neighbourhood has become a gathering place for new arrivals to Canada. The local CLSC heads the project helping women build a community in their new home.
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CBC
38 minutes ago
- CBC
40 years after Air India bombing, son's grief fuels his work in counterterrorism and victim support
Social Sharing Susheel Gupta was 12 years old when his mother, Ramwati Gupta, boarded Air India Flight 182. It was supposed to be a special summer for the Ottawa boy, whose family had planned a trip to India to visit relatives. He was originally meant to fly ahead of his parents so that he could spend some extra time with his grandparents. But his Grade 7 graduation ceremony was coming up, and he didn't want to miss it. "Had I gone early, I would have missed Grade 7 graduation, so I nagged and nagged my parents," Gupta told CBC's The Early Edition. Ultimately, the family changed their travel plans, and Gupta's mother flew ahead, with the intention that he and his father would join her a few weeks later. "She was travelling on my plane ticket and my seat," he said. That flight never made it. On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 exploded off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people onboard. Around the same time, a bomb exploded at Japan's Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers transferring a Vancouver suitcase to an Air India flight. It is considered the worst mass murder in modern Canadian history. Irish compassion, Canadian silence Monday marks 40 years since that tragedy. Gupta, now a senior RCMP official working in counterterrorism, said the pain never fully goes away. "I've got two little girls and not a day goes by that I don't wish my mom were alive so they could meet her." But Gupta says it wasn't just the loss that devastated families. It was also the way they were treated. In the hours after the bombing, Gupta remembers his family scrambling for answers but facing a void of official information. "There used to be something called a phone book … and my father was trying to reach government agencies," he said. "There was no one answering any of our calls. "We didn't know if there was a rescue mission or a recovery mission." Two days later, Gupta and his father flew to Cork, Ireland, using the two tickets Air India had offered each family. His brother, 18 at the time, stayed behind. In Ireland, they joined "thousands" of grieving relatives from around the world seeking answers. "There were U.S. government officials, U.K., France had officials, India, of course, and so forth," Gupta recalls. But there were no Canadian officials present at the site — and it would be nine days before any officials arrived to speak with the families. "Here's a tragedy where the majority [of people killed] were Canadian citizens, and there's not one Canadian official who could even bother. That's how the country treated it at the time." Despite the absence of Canadian support, Gupta said he'll never forget how Irish residents opened their arms. "[Locals] would come out of their homes in tears," he said. "They would invite us to have tea, to have a meal, and to have cookies with them." "Just the kindness we received from the Irish … certainly contrasts with how we were treated by our own government." Gupta believes Canada has still not fully accepted the tragedy as its own. "I think many Canadians unfortunately think that terrorism is something that happens somewhere else," he said. "I don't think they acknowledge or understand that it has happened here." No support for victims' families According to an RCMP press release marking the 40th anniversary, the bombing exposed "major gaps in intelligence-sharing, inter-agency coordination, and the way we support victims' families." A 2010 federal inquiry led by former Supreme Court Justice John Major described the government's early response as " wholly deficient," saying victims' families were treated like "adversaries." Gary Bass, a former RCMP deputy commissioner who later oversaw the Air India investigation, acknowledges that families weren't given timely updates. WATCH | Ujjal Dosanjh says Air India bombing should be recognized as a national tragedy: Former health minister of Canada speaks at Air India anniversary memorial in Vancouver 2 years ago Duration 0:42 "There were no victim services supports back in 1985," he said in the RCMP statement. "One of the big complaints from victims' families was that they were not getting any updates." Bass credits Gupta's father, Bal Gupta, for helping establish regular briefings that eventually built trust between families and investigators. In the months that followed the tragedy, the Air India Victim's Families Association (AIVFA) was formed, which according to the RCMP, continues to play a pivotal role in advocating for justice, remembrance and police reforms related to terrorism. Senior Gupta acted as the coordinator for the group from 1985 to 2005. "It was through Bal Gupta that we started setting up a series of briefings two to three times a year," added Bass. Turning pain into public service The tragedy and its aftermath became a turning point in Gupta's life. "If there was a way to deal with the frustration of how we were treated … it was to become part of the system." Now 52, Gupta is the Senior Strategic Operations Director with the RCMP's Counterterrorism and National Security section in Ottawa. He has also served as a federal prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. His current role involves planning and delivering support for victims of terrorism and mass casualty events. It's work that has taken him across Canada and abroad — most recently to Vancouver following the April 2025 Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy, when a driver struck a crowd at a street festival, killing 11 people and injuring many more. "We organized a gathering of over 100 victims and families because we felt it was important." He said many of the families didn't know each other before that event, much like the Air India tragedy, but shared trauma creates an important bond. "We become a sponge, we absorb that grief and absorb that pain." On Monday, memorials are being held across Canada and in Ahakista, Ireland to mark the 40th anniversary of the Air India bombing and the 20th National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. In a statement, the RCMP said it reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the tragedy and its lessons are never forgotten. For Gupta, the anniversary is not just a time to mourn but to reflect on the change that's still needed. "Our national security framework was ultimately changed because of this tragedy and because of families who never gave up," he said. "I don't want any Canadian to have to go through this the way we did."
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
4 local women win prestigious provincial award for volunteering
Four local women have been awarded the 2025 June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism (JCOAAV). The annual provincial honour is awarded to people who have dedicated their time to community causes, including youth advocacy, health care and mental health, the arts, environmental sustainability, and work with vulnerable populations. 'Volunteers are essential to protecting Ontario and building stronger communities,' said Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. 'This year's recipients have gone above and beyond, and we are deeply grateful for their service to make Ontario a better place to live, work, and raise a family.' Named in honour of the late author, social activist, and journalist June Callwood, this award recognizes up to 25 individual volunteers, volunteer organizations and volunteer administrators for their outstanding leadership, innovation and contributions. Outstanding Volunteer Category – Individual Kathleen Doherty, Barrie A retired Staff Sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police, Kathleen Doherty has devoted her post-retirement years to volunteerism. From Hospice Simcoe to international disaster relief with Global Medic and Team Rubicon Canada, her leadership in crisis response, community recovery, and health advocacy has brought hope and stability to countless individuals—locally, nationally, and around the world. Ann-Marie MacDairmid, Thornbury Ann-Marie, a resident of Thornbury, Ontario, has led the Shoreline Chorus in Owen Sound for 25 years. She founded the choir in 1999 and has managed it entirely as a volunteer. Her leadership has created meaningful opportunities for community engagement through concerts supporting local food banks, therapeutic riding programs, and church outreach initiatives. Beulah Osei, Newmarket Since 1996, Beulah Osei has volunteered with York Region Children's Aid Society, providing safe, compassionate transportation for children and youth across the region. More than a driver, she offers stability and care, helping young people stay connected to family, school, and community. Her dedication has touched countless lives and exemplifies the power of consistent, heartfelt service. Excellence in Volunteer Management - Individual Jane Weiland, Huntsville For over a decade, Jane Weiland was the heart of Hospice Huntsville, leading both the Visiting Volunteer and Grief and Bereavement programs. She introduced vital Complementary Therapies and built partnerships with hospitals and care homes to ensure no one faced the end of life alone. Her leadership, compassion, and innovation profoundly shaped hospice care in her community. All 2025 award recipients have shown commitment to positive change and protecting communities across Ontario. During local ceremonies, recipients will receive an award statue and a certificate signed by the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. Quick Facts Anyone can submit a nomination for the JCOAAV. Since 2002, 414 individuals and groups have received the JCOAAV. Applications for the JCOAAV close on December 5 each year. The late June Callwood was a distinguished Canadian journalist, author, social activist, and an appointee to the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada. Throughout her life, she established and co-established over fifty Canadian social action organizations. The Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism fosters an equitable Ontario and a sense of belonging by promoting citizen engagement and unity. In 2024, over 50 recognition ceremonies celebrated the achievements of more than 7,200 recipients who make the province a better place to live.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
'My kids haven't heard about this': 40 years after Air India bombing, community demands recognition
Social Sharing A coalition of B.C.-based faith groups and community members are calling on the province to build a large memorial and education centre to honour the victims of the 1985 Air India bombing, considered the worst terrorist attack in Canada's history. The campaign, launched ahead of the June 23 anniversary, is urging Premier David Eby to commit to a space that would recognize the tragedy and help future generations understand its impact. Majar Sidhu, who lost his sister, a nephew and a niece in the terrorist attack, says he worries the history is being forgotten. "People like me in our 50s and 60s know," he said in a Punjabi-language interview. "But people under 40 don't." Sidhu, a Vancouver resident, says the bombing is often perceived as a tragedy affecting the Indian community, even though the majority of people on board the flight were Canadians. "To this day it's known as Air India tragedy — but it's part of Canadian history," Sidhu said. On June 23, 1985, a bomb exploded in the hold of Air India Flight 182, killing 329 people. Among the dead were 280 Canadians and 86 children, with the flight en route to India after stops in Toronto and Montreal. For Sidhu, a provincial learning centre would be a meaningful start and a step toward national recognition that will create more empathy and understanding for Canadians. Multiple faith groups join calls "For my kids, who are growing up and going to school here in B.C., they have not heard about this," said Surrey resident Vijoy Chakraborty. "They need to know." Chakraborty, an occupational therapist who immigrated from India, says his own understanding of the tragedy began during a visit to the Air India memorial near Cork, Ireland, nearly two decades ago. That's where the wreckage of Flight 182 fell into the Atlantic Ocean after the bomb exploded on board. "I was absolutely spellbound when I reached there," Chakraborty said of the memorial in Cork. "The local people had kept that memorial in such a pristine way, with warmth and respect." Chakraborty says B.C. has a responsibility to maintain a large memorial of its own, given the province's deep ties to the bombing. Investigations found that the bomb that brought down the flight was made in the province, and the only person ever convicted in the case, Inderjit Singh Reyat, lived in Duncan, B.C. "There is a lot of onus on B.C. to create something that will educate people, our kids, our future generations," he said. Other organizations, including local Hindu and Sikh groups, are supporting the campaign. The Khalsa Diwan Society has written to the premier calling for the creation of a provincial learning centre. "We feel that they are next generation has and should have an information centre where they can learn about the the tragedy," said Jagdeep Sanghera, secretary of the Sikh charitable society. Yogesh Bhatia, a volunteer with Vedic Sevaks, echoed that sentiment. "Those who were killed, their families still deserve something," he said. "That's why we are asking [for this] so that our future generations know that violence of any type can create a massive ripple effect in the society." WATCH | Anatomy of the Air India bombing: Two suitcases: Anatomy of the Air India bombing | FULL DOCUMENTARY 5 days ago Duration 44:08 On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 took off from a Montreal airport. As it approached Ireland, a bomb in a suitcase exploded in its hold. All 329 people aboard the plane were killed. It's been called Canada's 'worst act of terrorism' and remains the deadliest attack in Canadian history — but an inquiry showed how the investigation into it fell apart. In a statement to CBC News, the province said it would work with communities and organizations impacted by this tragedy "to better understand how we can continue to work to educate future generations." "It is important to acknowledge this tragic part of our history and learn from it so tragedies like this are never repeated," the statement reads. Investigation ongoing Only one person was convicted in the bombing case: B.C. man Reyat, who served a total of 30 years in prison for a combination of manslaughter, perjury and his role in constructing the bombs, before his release in January 2016. Two others, Ajaib Singh Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik, were acquitted of murder and conspiracy charges. A Canadian inquiry commission identified Talwinder Singh Parmar, a B.C. man linked to the Sikh separatist Khalistan movement, as the mastermind behind the attack. Parmar was killed, allegedly in a gunfight, by Indian police in 1992. Malik was shot dead in Surrey, B.C., in July 2022. RCMP continue to investigate the bombings, according to Sgt. Vanessa Munn.
