Today marks 35 years since the tragic mass killing of female students at a Montreal university, and Toronto universities are honouring the day with numerous events and ceremonies.
Dec. 6 is National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and serves as a day to remember and honour the 35th anniversary of the deadly shooting at Polytechnique Montréal when 14 women were killed and 13 other people were injured in 1989. The province calls this murder a crime that shook Canada and it prompted a strong stand against gender-based violence.
“As we mark this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, let us continue to build a province where women and girls can live with dignity, free from intimidation and the threat of violence,” the province said in a statement.
The young women killed were Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.
“They were students, daughters, sisters, colleagues and friends – with talents and passions. Today we say their names and remember that the misogyny they faced is still a serious issue today,” Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien said in a statement on Friday.
Ien says last year alone, there were 187 women who were victims of gender-related homicides in Canada which is equivalent to one woman every two days.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also paid her respects in a post on X.
“We honour the victims of the Polytechnique massacre, remember all who have experienced gender-based violence, and mourn the lives that have been lost to it,” she said.
In Montreal, ceremonies began this morning with school representatives and student associations laying flowers at Polytechnique’s commemorative plaque.
Later today at 5:10 p.m, the time of the shooting, 14 beams of lights will be lit above Mount Royal as they call out the names of the 14 victims.
In Toronto, some universities are hosting ceremonies to honour the women. Earlier this morning, York University held a ceremony at the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. Those who attended were also encouraged to wear a white ribbon as a symbol to end gender-based violence.
In addition to the memorial ceremony, the university has planned other events as part of the international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence running until Dec. 10.
The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is also part of the campaign and has organized its own memorial service from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Sears Atrium, near the George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre.
The event includes opening remarks from President Mohamed Lachemi, a tribute ceremony, music by the Queer SongBook Orchestra and time for food and conversation.
The University of Toronto’s memorial ceremony is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at its St. George Campus. Their program includes an orchestral performance, lunch, opening remarks, discussions, an awards presentation, reflections and an optional walk accompanied by a laying-down of roses.
