Mourners to mark fourth anniversary of downing of PS752 by Iranian military

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is remembering the victims of Flight PS752 four years after the Iranian military shot it down.

Trudeau issued a statement voicing his solidarity with those who have lost loved ones in this and other air disasters before going to join mourners in Richmond Hill, Ont., to mark the grim anniversary.

Everyone aboard was killed when Iranian officials shot down the Ukraine International Airlines jetliner in January 2020 shortly after its take-off from Tehran.

Most of the passengers were bound for Canada via Ukraine, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.

The Richmond Hill ceremony today will include speeches, performances and special presentations.

In addition to the prime minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez are expected to attend.

It’s one of several events taking place globally to mark the anniversary, and follows a candlelight vigil in Toronto on Sunday.

The victims’ families have long fought for Iran to take accountability for downing the plane, and in July, Canada and three other countries referred the case to the International Court of Justice.

Trudeau also announced today that Canada and its three international partners have initiated dispute-settlement proceedings against Iran before the International Civil Aviation Organization council under the Chicago Convention, the international agreement laying out the core rules and standards for safe global air travel.