SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — L'École Polytechnique de Montréal

Honourable senators, tomorrow is a sad day. December 6 is the anniversary of the 1989 tragedy at the École Polytechnique de Montréal. Although it happened 35 years ago, the pain and suffering that followed this incident remain etched on our collective memory.

Fourteen young female students were shot and killed simply for being women. But they were also sisters, daughters, friends. They had hopes and dreams. They had promising futures ahead of them.

On December 6, we honour their memory and acknowledge the courage of the survivors, the bereaved families and all the men and women fighting each and every day to build a world where equality and respect prevail.

Since 1989, this tragedy has inspired concrete steps. Laws have been passed, actions have been taken and civil society remains strongly engaged. However, there is still a lot to be done. We have to keep educating the public, raising awareness and supporting initiatives that promote equality and safety for everyone.

In memory of the victims, 14 beams of light will shine up into the sky above Montreal tomorrow evening. I will be there. For the first time, a fifteenth light will be lit in memory of all the women who have been victims of femicide for so many years. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Come Together, Act Now.”

From my very first months in the Senate, I have been moved to see that you understand that, as we take action to build a better future, it is essential that we recognize that combatting violence against women is not just a women’s issue. Thank you for that. This is a fight that concerns all of us, a fight where every voice counts, regardless of gender. Thank you, gentlemen, for being our allies.

I would like to thank Senator D. M. Wells for his work on Bill S-250, Senator Cormier for his work on Bill C-332 and Senator Manning for his work on Bill S-249. Thank you also to all of you, honourable senators, who fight for our collective responsibility to build a fairer, more egalitarian society free from violence. Let’s continue to work together to build a better future, a future where people can thrive without fear of hate or violence, no matter what their identity is.

Together, let’s keep the victims’ memory alive, let’s celebrate the courage of the survivors and let’s renew our collective commitment to building a world without violence, where men and women walk hand in hand toward justice and equality.

Thank you, senators. Meegwetch.