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House Hansard - 11

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 6, 2021 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 11 - Dec/6/21
Mrs. Dominique Vien (Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, CPC)
  • Dec/6/21 3:23:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, on December 6, 1989, a horrific event took place at Montreal's École Polytechnique. On that day, 32 years ago, 14 women were murdered because they were women. The victims of the tragedy were Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne‑Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik‑Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne‑Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St‑Arneault and Annie Turcotte. I cannot help but think of the horror, the violence and the fear those women experienced. It is our duty to remember. These young women, many in their twenties, had their whole lives ahead of them, but hatred and misogyny shattered their dreams and stole their lives. On this day, we remember those women. We also commemorate women in Canada and around the world who have been victims of hate and violence in all its forms: domestic violence, harassment and sexual assault. On December 6, 1989, the Polytechnique massacre shook the entire country, wounding it to the core. That day, Canadians realized that gender equality was far from a given. That tragic event also showed us how fragile progress can be. It is a daily battle. We must fight that battle on behalf of the victims, their families and their colleagues, as well as the women who are even now victims of violence. The memory of the Polytechnique victims is alive and well. It lives on in ambitious girls and young women who are not afraid to move ahead in their lives, to overcome obstacles, and who strive to make their dreams come true. It also lives on in the female students who graduate from college or university and succeed in having the engineering or professional career they have always wanted. Their memory also lives on in the women who are here in the House today, those who chose to enter politics to stand up for people, to protect the most vulnerable or to advance just causes. It lives on in indigenous women who are not afraid to speak out against racism and prejudice and who are building safe communities. Their memory lives on in the front-line workers who assist victims and help them find a new home. Their memory also lives on in the hearts of their parents, families, colleagues and activists who fight every day for greater social equality. Their memory lives on here, today, in Parliament in Ottawa. For the past two years, our country has been going through an unprecedented health crisis. In many households, the pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues. It is more important than ever that we be there to help victims. We must continue to take action to fight another pandemic, the shadow pandemic. The shadow pandemic is the rising violence against women and the increasing rate of femicide across the country. Too many women continue to be bullied by their abusers every day. This spring, Senator Boisvenu and the member for Lévis—Lotbinière introduced a bill to better monitor men accused of domestic violence. Everything we do contributes to making our society more just, more equal and more humane. That is our mission. The memory of the victims of the Polytechnique massacre is a reminder that we must not give up. Thirty-two years ago, 14 women were murdered because they were women, but on this dark day, let us continue this fight in their names. We must unite, act and replace words with action. Together, let us put an end to misogyny. Together, let us ensure that no one else is left in distress. Together, let us ensure that violence against women is never again tolerated, whether it is online, in schools or in the workplace. It is time to focus on the victims. There have been too many tragedies and too much violence, and it is our duty to put a stop to it. Today, Canadians and Quebeckers remember the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre. This type of tragedy must never happen again. We owe it to the victims. In closing, I want to highlight the determination of one young woman, Willow Dew, a student at the University of Alberta, who received the Order of the White Rose, created in memory of the École Polytechnique victims. This order is given to a Canadian engineering student who chooses to pursue graduate studies. Like her mother before her, who is also an engineer, she has overcome obstacles and proven that women have a place anywhere and that they can realize their dreams.
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