Executive Council
December 4, 2014

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Remembering the Victims of the Montreal Massacre

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Almost 25 years ago, on December 6, 1989, 14 women were brutally murdered at Montreal’s École Polytechnique. These women were deliberately targeted because the gunman believed them to be feminists. This remains one of the worst incidents of mass murder in Canadian history.

In 1991, the Government of Canada designated December 6 as National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in memory of those lost in what has become known as the Montreal Massacre.

The loss of these women is still felt keenly by their families, their friends, their industry, and their country. This horrific act precipitated a movement that strives for a society where women are treated with equality and respect, and we still work every day to achieve those aims.

Mr. Speaker, if we are to effectively prevent and reduce violence in our society, we must first raise public awareness of the unacceptability of all forms of violence and abuse. Through the Violence Prevention Initiative, our government continues to partner with community stakeholders towards ending violence against women and towards achieving equality.

Just recently, the Provincial Government launched the fifth annual Purple Ribbon Campaign with the purpose of promoting public awareness about the prevention of violence against women. It coincides with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, beginning on November 25 with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and running until December 10, which is International Human Rights Day.

Mr. Speaker, as a reminder to us all of the events of December 6, 1989, I would like to read the names of those 14 women who died that day into the record of the House of Assembly:

          Genevieve Bergeron
          Helene Colgan
          Nathalie Croteau
          Barbara Daigneault
          Anne-Marie Edward
          Maud Haviernick
          Barbara Maria Klucznik
          Maryse Laganiere
          Maryse Leclair
          Anne-Marie Lemay
          Sonia Pelletier
          Michele Richard
          Annie St. Arneault
          Annie Turcotte

On Saturday, flags at Confederation Building will be at half-mast from sunrise to sunset to mark this tragic day.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask that we all take a moment of silence to remember these women, and all the women whose lives have been impacted by violence.

Thank you.

2014 12 04                                   1:55 p.m.