Families of Air India victims urge Ottawa to extend anti-terror law

OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper flatly refused Thursday to apologize for appearing to suggest that Liberal opposition to anti-terrorism measures is aimed at protecting an MP's relative from questioning in the Air India bombing. Harper ignored Liberal MP Navdeep Bains' request for an apology. Instead, he launched into another round of accusations that the Liberals' refusal to renew two controversial provisions of the Anti-terrorism Act will hamper the ability of police to continue their investigation into the 1985 downing of Air India Flight 182.

"The Liberal party knows. . . they knew when they changed their position that the police inquiry requires these powers. Why are they standing in the way of the police investigation?"

On Wednesday, Harper set off a furor after he appeared to suggest that Liberal opposition to renewal of the measures is aimed at protecting Bains' father-in-law. He cited a Vancouver Sun story which said that Bains' father-in-law is on a confidential list of potential witnesses that the RCMP wants to compel to testify about the Air India tragedy.

Bains led off question period Thursday, demanding an apology.

"Yesterday the prime minister in the House of Commons attacked my integrity and the integrity of my family. Now that he's had some time to think, will the prime minister simply retract his remarks?"

Harper responded by noting that he'd just met with families of victims of the Air India tragedy and repeating his determination to ensure police have the powers they need to finally bring the perpetrators to justice. When Bains asked again for an apology, Harper effectively challenged him to point to any error in the Vancouver Sun story.

"If the honourable member denies any particular element in that Vancouver Sun story, I'd be more than happy to accept his word on the matter."

Earlier Thursday, a group representing families of victims of the Air India bombing urged all federal politicians to support renewal of Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act.

The Air India Victims' Families Association said MPs from all parties are playing political games with provisions of the law.

Association spokesman Bal Gupta said fighting over the provisions is an insult to the 329 people killed in the Air India plane went down off the coast of Ireland.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has said his party will oppose extending the provisions when they expire on March 1.

The Mounties had hoped to use the investigative-hearing provision of the act to compel testimony.

© The Canadian Press, 2007