I rise today to mark December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day stems from the sad anniversary of the death of 14 young women who were tragically killed on December 6, 1989 at L�Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal.

These young women in Montreal were victims of violence because of their gender and because they studied engineering, a field traditionally dominated by men. The Montreal Massacre was an act of violence, directed specifically and deliberately against women because they were women.

Tomorrow, the 13^th anniversary of their death, is a day which is marked across Canada as a time to remember and recommit ourselves and our resources to ending violence against women. As a memorial to these women, and to all the women who have lost their lives to violence, the flags outside Confederation Building will be flown at half mast.

This day represents a time to pause and reflect on violence against women and girls in our society. The Violence Prevention Initiative is one avenue through which government, communities and anti-violence organizations are working together on issues of violence against women, as well as other victimized groups. This partnership is important because we all need to be involved in efforts to prevent violence and provide support to victims.

This past Tuesday the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women released the document Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile. It provides information on the prevalence and severity of violence against women. While there has been much work and many accomplishments by individuals, women�s groups, communities and government in addressing violence against women, the statistics in this document indicate there is still much work to be done.

I ask all members here today to join with me in wearing a purple ribbon to remember the 14 women from the Montreal Massacre and other women and girls who are victims of violence in this province and across Canada. Together with the people of the Newfoundland and Labrador we need to continue to work towards ending violence against women.

2002 12 05                                        2:00 p.m.