The murder of fourteen young women at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989, remains one of the most tragic and searing acts of gender-based violence in Canadian history. This horrifying act of violent misogyny shook our country to its core. In response, Parliament designated December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women—a day to honour the victims, reflect on the causes and consequences of gender-based violence, and recommit ourselves to building a safer, more equitable society for all.
On this day, we remember the lives of:
- 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 honour their memories, we are reminded of the devastating impact that hatred, fear, and misogyny can have when they are allowed to take root. Their names compel us not only to remember, but also to confront and challenge the conditions that enabled this violence—conditions that persist in many forms today.
Across Canada and around the world, women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, plus) and gender-diverse individuals continue to face unacceptable levels of violence, discrimination, and inequality. Too many lives are disrupted or lost because of gender-based violence, and too many survivors still struggle to access the safety, justice, and support they deserve.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is therefore both a day of solemn reflection and a call to action. It urges each of us to educate ourselves and those around us about the realities and roots of gender-based violence. It encourages us to listen to and centre the voices of survivors, whose experiences must guide our efforts. And it challenges all of us—families, communities, institutions, and governments—to speak up against harmful attitudes and behaviours, to intervene when we witness wrongdoing, and to work collectively toward a Canada where everyone can live free from fear and harm.
On December 6, we remember. And together, we renew our commitment to act.
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