The following statement was issued today by Julie Bettney, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Ten years ago today 14 young women in Montreal were murdered because they were women. This tragic event occurred at Montreal's Ecole

Polytechnique when a young man entered the school, separated men from women, and opened fire on the women because, he said, he believed they were feminists. This terrible tragedy traumatized this country.

Since then, each December 6 Canadians have stopped to reflect on the tragic loss of the lives of these 14 young women and to consider what actions might be taken to end violence against women. I wish I could say that this senseless act was an isolated event. Sadly, this is not the case.

Violence against women in Canada did not begin with the Montreal massacre. And it did not end there either. Thousands of women and children across this country have been victims of violence in the years since that tragedy. Today too many women in Newfoundland and Labrador, like others across the country, continue to live in the shadow of violence and abuse.

Violence against women occurs all too frequently. It continues to have tragic consequences for women's lives and significant social and economic costs. What can we do about this? One thing we must do is to become more aware of this issue. We must get involved in organizing or supporting anti-violence campaigns and initiatives. We must acknowledge other forms of family and societal violence. Violence affects us all. We all have a responsibility to address it.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has long recognized the importance of playing a leadership role in working to address issues of violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. Nearly five years ago government announced that it would be working with community based groups to implement an action plan for violence prevention in this province.

Under the auspices of this Provincial Strategy Against Violence we have conducted research, produced publications, and undertaken training programs all aimed at violence prevention and improving services. We are now exploring how this important work can continue to be carried out. This government is committed to continuing to ensure that our communities are safe and to addressing the inequalities that enable women to become targets of violent crime. Let us take a moment to remember the 14 young women who were murdered in Montreal 10 years ago and the 13 other people wounded during that event. Let us remember, too, the women in Newfoundland and Labrador who have also been murdered and wounded. Let us remember their loved ones. And let us consider what we might all do to try to prevent such senseless tragedy in the future.

1999 12 06                    2:20 p.m.