Tomorrow marks two years since the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (Flight PS752), as well as the second National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters. On this solemn occasion, we remember the victims of all air disasters, including Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (Flight ET302), Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and Air India Flight 182, and stand in solidarity with all those who have lost loved ones to air disasters.
Canada continues to work with our International Coordination and Response Group partners-the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Ukraine-to ensure justice and accountability for the victims of the passengers and crew aboard Flight PS752. We stand in solidarity with the victim’s loved ones and are determined to hold Iran accountable for the downing by their military forces and to ensure Iran makes full reparations for the acts and omissions that led to the deaths of 176 innocent people.
Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport; the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and High Commissioner Ralph Goodale, met with family members of victims of Flight PS752 to reiterate their commitment to justice and inform them of progress made to date.
In support of the families of victims of air disasters, the Government of Canada is delivering on several commitments.
Building on previously implemented measures to support families of the victims of Flight ET302 and Flight PS752, the government is developing a new pathway to permanent residence for certain family members that are outside Canada. We recognize that victims who were Canadian citizens, permanent residents or were approved to become permanent residents would have had the opportunity to build a life here in Canada with their families. The two permanent residence pathways honour their memory and support family members in Canada who have…