Honourable senators, colleagues, today, December 6, is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of the 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women.

As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked our nation, December 6 represents an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on violence against women in society. It is an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. Finally, it is a day on which communities can consider actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide.

On December 6, 1989, I sat in my car in Moncton and I listened to the news on the radio. I was shaking and shocked. I can still feel that today. Since that time in Moncton, in my home, I have worked with others, first to mourn and then to work for change. Sadly, over 40 women have died of violence in our area since 1989.

We have put up monuments, held vigils, run programs, developed resources and educated people that violence is not acceptable in any form, whether physical or emotional.

Today I ask you to take action. Especially, I want to encourage the men in the Senate. All of you have mothers, right? Some of you have sisters, daughters, granddaughters. We need a united front to end violence. We need all of you to work for change because until all of us are free of violence, none of us are free.

Today I wear my purple scarf as a symbol of courage, survival and honour for the women who have experienced violence or who have been murdered by intimate partners. Today I especially remember Elana Fric-Shamji, who was murdered this week, all the missing and murdered Aboriginal women and all those girls still trapped in abusive relationships. I urge you to work for change, and you may seek ideas from the display out in the chamber, or you can ask me and I will give you ideas. There are a lot of things we can do.

On my first day here on November 15, the Peace Tower was lit in purple. Today our flag is at half-mast, reminding us to eliminate violence. I believe I am in a hopeful place. Thank you.