On January 8, 2020 Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down minutes after taking off. Fifty-five Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents were among the 176 people killed in this tragedy.
Today, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Canadian ministers met with family members of victims. They reaffirmed the commitment of Canada and the International Coordination and Response Group to hold Iran to account for the senseless deaths of those aboard the flight.
January 8 will mark three years since the downing, as well as the third National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters.
“Three years ago, flight PS752 was shot down by the Iranian regime." Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada said. "Canada lost a lot of special people that day – mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, educators, students – people who were loved. Nothing can take away from the pain of losing loved ones, but the Government of Canada will continue to be there for the families of the victims as we relentlessly pursue justice and accountability for them. Today, we mourn with you. We will remember them.”
Canada and its partners in the Coordination Group—Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom—continue to work together to hold Iran accountable for the downing of Flight PS752 and ensure full reparations are made for the deaths of 176 innocent people. On December 28, 2022 the Coordination Group announced an important step forward in the pursuit of accountability in accordance with international law. We have requested that Iran submit to binding arbitration of the dispute related to the downing of Flight PS752 as specified under the 1971 Montreal Convention.
In addition, Canada is working with its international partners to advance the Safer Skies Initiative, which aims to enhance the level of safety and security for commercial airlines travelling in or near conflict zones, and to address gaps in ICAO’s aircraft accident investigation protocols, to ensure that future investigations are conducted in a more credible, transparent and impartial manner.