Executive Council
December 5, 2007

Province to Remember 18th Anniversary of Montr�al Massacre

On December 6, groups across Newfoundland and Labrador will gather to celebrate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day coincides with the anniversary of the tragic death of 14 young women who were murdered in Montreal.

"These victims were targeted simply because they were women and had chosen to study engineering, a field traditionally dominated by men," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Lead Minister of the Violence Prevention Initiative. "As a student in Ontario at that time, I will never forget the shock and disbelief of this senseless crime."

As a memorial to the 14 women, and to all those who have lost their lives to violence, the flags outside the Confederation Building will be flown at half mast tomorrow. In addition, Members of the House of Assembly will be wearing purple ribbons to symbolize the lives that have been lost to violence, and the work that remains to be done to combat violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"While we remember this tragic event, we must also recognize that violence against women is still all around us," said Minister Burke. "This is why it is critical that we all take an active role to help end violence. Governments, communities and individuals can make a difference."

The Provincial Government continues to invest in the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), a six-year, $9.2-million commitment to work with community groups to combat violence. A key goal of the VPI is to educate and inform the public about the realities of violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. In May 2007, the Williams Government launched a marketing campaign to prevent violence against youth. Similar campaigns aimed at older adults and children are expected to be released early in the new year.

Minister Burke noted that the province�s public post-secondary institutions, College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University, will host events for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. "I encourage everyone to take a moment to remember the women of Montreal, the many women in our own province who have been the target of an act of brutality, and what we can do in our own lives to end violence."

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Media contact:

Michelle Hynes
Communications and Policy Analyst
Women�s Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-2125
michellehynes@gov.nl.ca

2007 12 05                                                     10:15 a.m.

 


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