From Unifor:
Thirty-two years ago, they were training to be chemical and mechanical engineers and nurses. One was a budget clerk at École Polytechnique’s finance department.
During Unifor’s online vigil, held December 6, 2021 – the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Elimination of Violence Against Women – the names of the 13 students and one worker at École Polytechnique were read aloud to remember the horrific gender-based violent massacre in 1989.
“They were killed simply because they were women,” said Lisa Kelly, Unifor’s Women’s Department Director.
“We are also reflecting this evening on the disproportionate impact of violence on women and gender diverse people who face multiple and intersecting grounds of discrimination. In particular, women and gender-diverse people who identify as Indigenous, trans, Black, women of colour, women with disabilities, or non-binary. We want to honour both the remembrance and the action portions of this day.”
The women killed in the attack were Geneviève Bergeron, Maryse Laganière, Hélène Colgan, Maryse Leclair, Nathalie Croteau, Anne-Marie Lemay, Barbara Daigneault, Sonia Pelletier, Anne-Marie Edward, Michèle Richard, Maud Haviernick, Annie St-Arneault, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz and Annie Turcotte.
This year, men in positions of power at Unifor are committing to speak up and take action to prevent gender-based violence. By naming the source of the violence, we can focus more clearly on finding solutions.
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