A Statement by the Minister of State (Status of Women)
Mr. Speaker, I rise now to share in the sadness of all Canadians who will
pause today to recall one of the darkest moments in our nation's history.
On December 6, 1989, a gunman entered a classroom in Montreal's l'Ecole
Polytechnique. He separated the men from the women, then shot the women.
Fourteen young women died. Ten more were injured. Four men were also
shot. Every Canadian who was alive at the time has a different
recollection of the events of that terrible day; however, we were all
united in our horror and our grief, and our unlimited sympathy for the
families of the women slain.
As a young Canadian woman, I felt shocked at first, and then numb, and
then angry - a feeling that left me determined to help ensure this would
never happen again.
These families lost the best and brightest - their beloved daughters,
sisters, nieces and cousins. Young women just setting out at the start of
their adult lives, full of life and love, energy and enthusiasm: gone,
forever, in a few moments of violence.
While Canada, thankfully, has not experienced an incident of the
magnitude of the Montreal Massacre since 1989, we are very aware of the
fact that to end violence against women, much work remains to be done. As
Minister of State for the Status of Women, I am proud of the steps our
Government has taken to address these challenges, including delivering
the Tackling Violent Crime Act, working to prevent serious criminals from
serving their sentences at home, increasing funding to grassroots women's
support groups and supporting legislation to increase penalties for human
trafficking. Progress has been made, but more work remains to be done.
Ending violence against women is not something government can do on its
own. Every Canadian has a role to play - whether by offering support to a
woman caught in an abusive situation, or teaching young children that all
forms of violence and abuse are wrong.
Our Government is united in its sorrow for women who are victims of
violence, and united in its resolve to end violence against women. It is
time for us to face it; name it; and end it.
On December 6, Canadians will pause to remember and grieve for the women
who died in the Montreal Massacre. I believe we serve their memory best
by committing to face, and end, violence against the women and girls who
are with us today.
For further information: Emily Goucher, Senior Special Assistant, Communications, Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women), (819) 956-4000
Share this article