Canadian Government to discuss compensation package with bombed Air India victims families

TORONTO - Two Canadian Government ministers are reportedly meeting privately with relatives of Air India victims here on Friday to discuss a promised compensation package, though they and the families remained tight-lipped about the development.

According to the Globe and Mail, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews will meet the families of the victims of the 1985 airplane bombing that claimed 329 lives on Friday afternoon.

Government officials, however, have not revealed where the meeting is taking place or what is the amount under discussion.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged the compensation four months ago.

They simply said that it would be a private meeting between the ministers and the families.

Relatives of those killed in the bombing have been seeking justice for more than a quarter century.

During a speech to security professionals last week in Ottawa, a lawyer who represented families during the Air India inquiry pointed out that at least three relatives of victims had died since June.

The government said only that the ministers are meeting to take advice from families on how to proceed.

Lawyers involved in the Air India inquiry have speculated that Friday’s meeting will not produce a final compensation package, since none of the requisite consultations have yet been held between federal officials and families. Rather, they predicted, the meeting is more likely to discuss a formula for who will be paid and how much. (ANI)