Ottawa - Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo called on all constituents to observe Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
"On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal lost their lives in one of the worst cases of gender-based violence that this country has ever seen," said McLeod.
In 1991 the Parliament of Canada established Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. This day not only marks the anniversary of the tragic and untimely loss of 14 innocent and promising young women, but represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society.
"It is also 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," stated McLeod.
"Finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. We must strive to eliminate these heinous and cowardly crimes and ensure a violence-free society for our next generation," concluded McLeod.