On Dec 6th in Canada, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women honors the 14 women killed at the Polytechnique Montréal massacre in 1989, as well as lives lost to femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) throughout the year and calls for action against GBV. This year marks the 36th year since the horrendous attack. The relevance of the term ‘femicide’ in the Canadian context was driven home on December 6, 1989, by this attack. The man separated students by sex and yelled, “You’re all a bunch of feminists, and I hate feminists!” before firing at the women.
On December 6, we remember:
- Geneviève Bergeron
- Hélène Colgan
- Nathalie Croteau
- Barbara Daigneault
- Anne-Marie Edward
- Maud Haviernick
- Maryse Laganière
- Maryse Leclair
- Anne-Marie Lemay
- Sonia Pelletier
- Michèle Richard
- Annie St-Arneault
- Annie Turcotte
- Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
As we mourn their loss and remember their lives, we reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy, and the misogyny that still exists today. The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. Achieving a Canada free from gender-based violence requires everyone living in this country to educate themselves and their families and communities on gender-based violence, centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours.
Ways to honour the victims of this tragedy on December 6:
- Wear a white ribbon. You can make one at home or order one online.
- Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 am.
- Attend a vigil in your community.
The annual vigil in Ottawa is being held on December 6th at 6:00pm at Minto Park (corner of Elgin street and Gilmour street) at the site of the Ottawa Women’s Monument, to help mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Please plan on attending if you can.
