Dec. 6, 1989 - 16 years later the tragedy in Montreal lives on

"Today we mourn, but we must also continue
to work for change"

Ottawa ( 5 Dec. 2005) - In 1991, Canada's Parliament declared December 6 a National Day of Mourning, and the National Day to End Violence Against Women.

On December 6th, 1989, 14 young women lost their lives to one man's hate at L'Ecole Polytechnique in Montréal. This year marks the 16th anniversary of that tragic event. [larger image]

These are the beloved daughters, sisters and friends whose spirit, vitality and intelligence are deeply missed to this day and lost to us forever.

Let us remember each of these women by name:
Genevieve Bergeron, 21 Helene Colgan, 23 Nathalie Croteau, 23 Barbara Daigneault, 22 Anne-Marie Edward, 21 Maud Haviernick, 29 Barbara Marie Klueznik, 31	Maryse Leclair, 23 Annie St. Arneault, 23 Michele Richard, 21 Maryse Langaniere, 25 Anne-Marie Lemay, 22 Sonia Pelletier, 28 Annie Turcotte, 21

Pause and reflect

"In honour of these 14 young women, we urge Canadians to pause and reflect on violence against women in Canada and around the world," says Marie Bean, Chair of the NUPGE Advisory Committee on Women's Issues.

"We know that words and tears are not enough. We owe it to their memories to eradicate the poison in our society that deprived them of life just because they were women. Violence against women is everybody's problem and all of us must pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against women," says Bean.

Violence against women continues to be a problem

Sixteen years after the 14 tragic deaths in Montreal, violence against women in Canada continues to be a significant and persistent social and economic problem.

Many women today live in fear and there's good reason. On average, in any given year, about 200 women in Canada will be murdered by their husbands, partners or somebody they know. Thousands more will be battered and abused. And many women continue to live in dangerous situations because there's no help and no place to go.

"Today we mourn, but we know that we must also continue to work for change. It is essential that we continue to take action on a personal and collective level to raise awareness, and demand action from our governments, to end violence against women," says Bean.

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has always placed a high priority and been very public in our efforts to end violence against women.

Last year the National Union worked with the Canadian Labour Congress and others to launch the "15-Ways-15-Days" campaign to help raise awareness about the need to end violence against women. A series of 15 postcards, each with a different message, were produced and circulated across the country. Millions of postcards were sent to the Prime Minister. You can still send a postcard message by visiting this website: 15 Days, 15 Ways

In 2004 the National Union produced a poster to raise awareness about the need to stop violence against women. This poster can still be downloaded at this link: Stop All Violence Against Women.

Silent Witness Project

This year, in recognition of the 16th anniversary, the National Union and its Components across the country are working in partnership with coalitions and grassroots organizations to promote the Silent Witness Project, which focuses on the issue of domestic violence.

The Project is a travelling exhibit of life-size red wooden silhouettes. Each represents a woman who was killed by a husband, partner or acquaintance. Because these women no longer have a voice, the silhouettes are called the Silent Witnesses.

The project promotes successful community-based domestic violence prevention and reduction efforts with the hope of reaching zero domestic murders by 2010. For more information about this project click here: Silent Witness

Election 2006

As well, with a federal election underway, and a vote scheduled for January 23, 2006, we all have an opportunity now to raise community awareness and make gains on issues important to women, including violence prevention, reduction and support programs.

During this federal election, we should challenge our local candidates and their party by asking a few key, tough questions, such as: If elected, will you and your party:

• Provide more funding for women's shelters, transition houses, rape crisis centres and other important public services and community-based programs that support women trying to escape violence?
• Strengthen and enforce existing anti-violence laws?
• Ensure there are adequate resources and sufficient funding for violence prevention and reduction programs?
• Undertake a national multi-media public education campaign on issues related to violence against women?

On Monday, January 23rd, let's elect a political candidate and party that have been clear and consistent about their commitment to stop violence against women.

Pay tribute to community groups

The National Union would also like to use this opportunity to pay tribute to the courage and dignity of survivors of acts of violence against women and to praise the numerous defence groups, parents and friends, whose support is invaluable to these women. We urge everyone to make a donation to one of their local women's shelters. NUPGE

Web posted by NUPGE: 5 December 2005