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
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.