On Monday January 8, 2024 at 5 pm a  group gathered at the Shipyards in North Vancouver to pay tribute to those lost in the tragic incident involving the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752. In 2020, the entire complement of passengers on the flight met a tragic fate when it was deliberately shot down by Iranian officials shortly after taking off from Tehran.

The majority of the passengers were en route to Canada, with a layover in Ukraine, and included 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. Arman Abtahi, who tragically lost his brother in this heartbreaking event, took the initiative to organize the evening's memorial.

“It’s a place to reflect and remember the lost lives,” expressed Abhtani.

Local government representatives, including North Vancouver Councillor Shervin Shahriari, addressed the gathered crowd at the vigil, reflecting on the impact of the incident, “When Flight PS752 was shot down four years ago, it shocked and saddened the world and took away North Shore community members and fellow Canadians.” 

A message from North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson outlined his plan to establish a memorial in North Vancouver dedicated to the victims of Flight PS752.

The families of the victims have persistently advocated for Iran to take responsibility for the plane's downing. In July, Canada, along with three other countries, referred the case to the International Court of Justice. One speaker at the vigil emphasized, “The PS752 victims’ families’ fight for justice is part of a larger fight for justice in Iran. To find justice, they have a difficult path ahead.”

In a significant development, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada, along with its three international partners, has initiated dispute-settlement proceedings against Iran before the International Civil Aviation Organization Council under the Chicago Convention. This international agreement lays out the core rules and standards for safe global air travel, marking a concerted effort to seek accountability for the tragic incident.