Hon. Diane Bellemare: Honourable senators, on this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, I want to commemorate the lives of the following women: 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.

On December 6, 1989, 14 women were killed by an individual with a profound hatred for women during the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal. Why? Because they were women. Why women engineering students? Because he hated women in power and, for him, these students represented women who might take the place of men in positions of power.

Even though this massacre took place over 30 years ago, unfortunately, we are still witnessing acts of femicide today. That is unacceptable and it needs to change. Let’s not forget that violence against women isn’t just physical and that it can be hard to identify in some cases. We must listen to survivors because far too many of them live in fear.

A study published by Statistics Canada shows that the majority of women who are victims of violence do not report their abuser. We need to destigmatize this subject and ensure that these women are heard, supported and protected.

Colleagues, heinous crimes like the Polytechnique massacre have never had a place in Canada, and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is a sad reminder of this ever-present reality and of the importance of this constant struggle.

Since 1991, wearing a white ribbon on December 6 has been a powerful symbol of our opposition to all forms of violence against women. It also underscores our ongoing struggle against violence. It is our duty to continue our fight by implementing effective public policies to ensure that what happened at École Polytechnique never happens again in this country.

Honourable senators, you’ve all received messages from PolySeSouvient, urging us to legislate to crack down on the movement of firearms.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.