Western and Brescia honour victims of École Polytechnique shooting on 33rd anniversary
For the first time, Brescia University College partnered with Women in Engineering at Western University to honour the victims who were killed at École Polytechnique 33 years ago.
On Dec. 6, 1989 a 25-year-old man targeted an attack against women on the École Polytechique campus, killing 14 female students and injuring 13 others at the engineering school in Montreal.
On Tuesday morning, students and staff from Western Engineering and Brescia paid their respects with a memorial at the Amit Chakma Engineering building, by taking a moment of silence and placing a wreath outside.
Fernanda Pereira, a fourth-year student in engineering at Western lit a candle for each victim who was killed.
The women killed at École Polytechnique were Genevieve Bergeron, Helene Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganiere, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michele Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte.
Six of the 14 women are, left to right, from top, Maryse Laganiere, Maryse Leclair, Maud Haviernick, Michele Richard, Nathalie Croteau and Sonia Pelletier. The Montreal Massacre. (CP PHOTO)
“We’re the co-presidents of the women engineering club and so we feel extremely honoured and feel that it’s our responsibility to honour the women who came before us,” Pereira said. “We need to remember the tragic events that occurred and hopefully advocate for growth and drive change in our community.”
This year’s memorial was the first time in years the school has been able to host an in-person event on the anniversary due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dozens of staff and students came to show their respects.
“We usually don't have many men attending, and the white ribbon campaign was actually started by men, so we’re happy with the male ratio today,” Pereira said.
The mass shooting prompted activism and a strong push for change, now this date is proclaimed as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The 8 of the 14 victims are, left to right, from top, Anne Marie Lemay, Anne-Marie Edwards, Annie St. Arneault, Annie Turcotte, Barbara Daigneault, Barbara Klucznik, Genevieve Bergeron and Helene Colgan. The Montreal Massacre. (CP PHOTO) 1996
On Tuesday, some speakers talked about the progress that's been made in putting an end to gender-based violence, and pointed out there is more work to be done.
“I hope this gives people a chance to reflect on their own internal biases and how they can take action to stop other people from experiencing the same kinds of situations that we spoke about today,” said Madelyn Gander, an engineering student at Western.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.