Trudeau announces compensation of $25,000 per victim for families of Iran plane crash

Jan 17 2020, 4:37 pm

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced compensation of $25,000 per victim for families of Iran plane crash, adding that he wants Iran to make restitution to those impacted.

“What happened last week was nothing short of a national tragedy,” Trudeau said.

The Prime Minister said that there were 57 citizens onboard flight PS752, and 29 permanent residents.

During a press conference on Friday morning, Trudeau announced that the Government of Canada will be providing families of Canadian victims with the money to assist with immediate needs, which includes travel and funeral arrangements.

Trudeau also said that he holds Iran accountable to those who lost loved ones, and that includes financial compensation. The money would go to the victims, and not to the Canadian government, he said.

“I have met them,” said Trudeau. “They need support now.”

On Thursday, members of the International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752, which includes Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan, the UK, and Canada, held a meeting London, UK, and “agreed upon a framework for cooperation with Iran in response to this tragedy to provide closure, accountability, transparency and justice for the families and loved ones of all the victims.”

As part of its framework, it stated that Iran would assume full responsibility for the downing of flight PS752 and recognize its duties towards the families of the victims and other parties – including compensation.

Last week, a Toronto business owner launched a national campaign called “Canada Strong” to help collect funds for the victims of the Iran plane crash.

According to the campaign, which is being handled by the Toronto Foundation, “in the coming days and weeks, the families of the 57 victims from across Canada will face a number of expenses. We are now encouraging Canadians to support the families of the victims by making a donation.”

With oversight from Dentons Canada LLP, all donations will flow through Toronto Foundation, who previously handled funds for Toronto’s van attack victims, and will be granted to those affected.

Since its launch, the campaign has raised over $400,000, and has a $1.5 million goal.

On January 6, an Iranian missile shot down the Ukrainian flight, killing all 176 passengers on board — 138 of whom were bound for Canada.

Since the incident, candle-light vigils have been held across the nation, and Trudeau has called for justice.

Daily Hive StaffDaily Hive Staff

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