We have mourned together and helped each other to carry on since the January 8th, 2020, downing of Ukrainian Airlines Flight PS752.

Our community was deeply saddened, experiencing much grief and anguish; this is perhaps less acute now, but the wounds inflicted run deep, and our community, as well as so many others across the country, continue to feel that loss.

We continued to push for full accountability from the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the acts and omissions by civilian and military officials that led to the deaths of 176 innocent people.

Canada remains committed to holding Iran accountable and obtaining justice by vigorously pursuing full reparations for the harm that it has caused to the victims’ families and the affected states.

In response to our country’s collective grief, Canada has also committed to ensuring that no civilian is ever again put at risk by flying over or near a conflict zone. Through initiatives like Safer Skies, Canada is working with international organizations, the civil aviation industry, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, to reduce the risks of conflict zones and their disastrous effects on aviation safety.

While none of these actions will bring our loved ones back, I stand in solidarity with the Iranian Canadian community in North Vancouver, and with our entire community, to remember and honour those we lost, and to commit to working for accountability and for enhanced international cooperation going forward.