December 6th – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Today marks 36 years since the tragedy at Montréal’s École Polytechnique. On December 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered simply because they were women. Many of these women were studying to become engineers. The killer claimed he was “fighting feminism,” a belief deeply rooted in hatred and misogyny.

On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we are reminded of the ongoing threats that gender-based violence and harassment pose to the safety and dignity of women and gender-diverse individuals everywhere.

We honor and mourn the lives lost too soon, and we recommit to the difficult work of ensuring that everyone can live and work in their communities without fear.

Let us also remember the names of the 14 women who were murdered in this act of violence and misogyny:

– Geneviève Bergeron (born 1968), civil engineering student

– Hélène Colgan (born 1966), mechanical engineering student

– Nathalie Croteau (born 1966), mechanical engineering student

– Barbara Daigneault (born 1967), mechanical engineering student

– Anne-Marie Edward (born 1968), chemical engineering student

– Maud Haviernick (born 1960), materials engineering student

– Maryse Laganière (born 1964), budget clerk in the École Polytechnique’s finance department

– Maryse Leclair (born 1966), materials engineering student

– Anne-Marie Lemay (born 1967), mechanical engineering student

– Sonia Pelletier (born 1961), mechanical engineering student

– Michèle Richard (born 1968), materials engineering student

– Annie St-Arneault (born 1966), mechanical engineering student

– Annie Turcotte (born 1969), materials engineering student

– Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz (born 1958), nursing student

Their names serve as a solemn reminder of the devastating impact of gender-based violence and the responsibility that comes with our remembrance.