It was a cold December day, 35 years ago, in the heart of Montréal. The city was buzzing with the usual holiday preparations, but on that fateful day, December 6, 1989, something happened that would change the course of Canadian history and forever mark the calendar. At École Polytechnique, a place dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and engineering excellence, an unimaginable horror unfolded.
The story begins like any other day, with students attending classes, their minds on exams and projects. But then, the peace was shattered by an act of violence so profound it would resonate through the years. A man, driven by hate, entered the school with a mission of destruction. His target? Women. Specifically, women in engineering, a field where they were beginning to make their mark.
He moved through the corridors with a chilling purpose, separating the women from the men, forcing his way into a classroom where he unleashed his terror. The sounds of gunfire echoed through the halls, a stark contrast to the usual hum of academic life. In that moment, 14 lives were taken, 14 futures were extinguished, and 14 families were left in eternal mourning.
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 – these were not just names on a list; they were daughters, sisters, friends, and brilliant minds with dreams and ambitions.
The news spread like wildfire, turning a day of routine into one of national sorrow. Canada was forced to confront an ugly truth about violence against women, about misogyny so deep-seated it could lead to such an atrocity. The country grieved, but from that grief, a resolve was born. It was decided that this day, December 6, would not just be a remembrance of the fallen but a call to action against violence towards women.
Today, 35 years later, we observe Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It’s a day where we don’t just remember the victims of École Polytechnique but acknowledge the ongoing battle against gender-based violence. Schools, communities, and workplaces across the country pause to reflect, to educate, and to pledge action. Candles are lit, vigils are held, and stories are shared, all in the memory of those lost and in solidarity with survivors everywhere.
The tale of that day is not one of defeat but of resilience. From the ashes of tragedy, movements have grown; laws have been enacted, and awareness has been heightened. Educational programs now teach young minds about respect, consent, and gender equality. Support systems for victims have expanded, and the conversation about violence against women has become louder, more urgent.
Every year, on this day, we tell this story not to dwell in sorrow but to ignite hope. We remember those 14 women not just for how they died but for how they lived – with passion, intellect, and the courage to break barriers in their chosen fields. We honor them by continuing the fight they unwittingly became part of, ensuring that their deaths were not in vain.
In the spirit of remembrance, we take action; we speak out, we educate, and we protect. Because 35 years ago today, 14 women were killed at Montréal’s École Polytechnique, but their legacy lives on, pushing us forward in the quest for a world where such violence is but a dark memory. Let this story be a reminder of the work still to be done, the vigilance required, and the love and respect we must extend to each other, always.