Supporting a Vision for the Safety and Well-being of Women, Families and Communities

Provincial Government Honours Victims of the Montreal Massacre

Twenty-four years ago today 14 female students were murdered at Montreal’s École Polytechnique simply because they were women training in a male-dominated field.

Since the lives of these women were taken in 1991, December 6 has been designated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This week, the Provincial Government honoured the memory of the 14 young women in the House of Assembly. Today, flags at Confederation Building, are at half-mast to mark this day.

“Violence against women deeply impacts individuals, families and communities and we all have a responsibility to address this serious social issue. Through the Violence Prevention Initiative and awareness campaigns such as Purple Ribbon and Respect Women, the Provincial Government is committed to raising awareness, in collaboration with community partners and stakeholders, to positively change attitudes and behaviours towards violence and abuse.”
- The Honourable Joan Shea, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women (Acting)

In 2012, of the 5,847 violent crimes committed in the province, 54 per cent were against women. During the past seven years, the two police forces in the province reported more than 20,000 incidents of violent crimes against women.

The Purple Ribbon Campaign currently underway promotes awareness about the prevention of violence against women and honours women who have been abused or have died in a violent situation.

The purple ribbon symbolizes the hope that comes from collective efforts to end inequality and violence against women. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador encourages all residents to support and participate in the Purple Ribbon Campaign by wearing or displaying the ribbon. For more information please visit https://www.gov.nl.ca/vpi/ . 

The names of the 14 women whose lives were lost on December 6, 1989 at École Polytechnique can be found in the backgrounder below.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• In 1991 the Federal Government designated December 6th as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
• Women in Newfoundland and Labrador experience physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual and cultural violence as well as verbal and financial abuse and neglect.
• The Violence Prevention Initiative demonstrates the Provincial Government’s commitment to achieving long-term solutions for those most at risk of violence by working with over 30 community partners and 10 Provincial Government departments and agencies.
• The Provincial Government invests approximately $1.6 million annually through the Violence Prevention Initiative. Additional information on the Violence Prevention Initiative can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/vpi/.
• At the commencement of the fourth Purple Ribbon Campaign on November 25, 100,000 purple ribbon pins and magnets were distributed across the province through government departments, community groups, municipalities and businesses.

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Media contact:
Deborah Thomas
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 728-8092
DeborahThomas@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER

The Provincial Government honours the lives of the 14 women whose lives were lost on December 6, 1989 at École Polytechnique:

Geneviève Bergeron, 21 - second-year civil engineering scholarship student
Hélène Colgan, 23 - senior mechanical engineering student planning a master’s degree
Nathalie Croteau, 23 - senior mechanical engineering student
Barbara Daigneault, 22 - senior mechanical engineering student and teaching assistant
Anne-Marie Edward, 21 - first-year chemical engineering student
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, 31 - first-year nursing student
Annie Turcotte, 21 - first-year engineering materials student
Maryse Laganière, 25 - budget clerk in school finance department
Maud Haviernick, 29 - second-year engineering materials student and environmental design graduate
Maryse Leclair, 23 - fourth-year student in engineering materials
Anne-Marie Lemay, 27 - fourth-year mechanical engineering student
Sonia Pelletier, 28 - due to graduate the next day in mechanical engineering; awarded a degree posthumously
Michèle Richard, 21 - second-year engineering materials student
Annie St. Arneault, 23 - mechanical engineering student

2013 12 05                                             10:40 a.m.