On December 6, 1989, 14 young women were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal. This act of violent misogyny led Parliament to designate December 6th as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Today, we remember the lives of the women lost in this tragedy:
- 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 honour their memory and grieve their loss, we renew our dedication to confronting the hatred that fueled this tragedy and the persistent misogyny that continues to exist today. Across Canada and globally, women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals endure intolerable levels of violence and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated gender-based violence in Canada, with police services, shelters, and community organizations reporting increased calls for help during this time.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is an occasion to reflect on the lives affected and lost to gender-based violence. It is also a call to act. Building a Canada free of gender-based violence requires collective effort: educating ourselves and our communities, amplifying the voices of survivors, and challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors wherever they arise.
Ways you can honour the victims of the tragedy today:
- Wear a white ribbon
- Observe a moment of silence at 11am
- Attend a vigil in your community
- Add your voice to the conversation and share ways you are being part of the solution to end gender-based violence
- Learn more about the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/16-days.html
If you or someone you know has been impacted by violence and is in need of support, help is available: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html