Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Each year PSAC members remember and mourn the 14 young women in Montreal attending the École Polytechnique who were killed on December 6, 1989. Each year we rededicate ourselves to end violence against women.

A recent study published by Statistics Canada (Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006) points out that, while we acknowledge the problem, it stubbornly persists. “Women are more likely than men to be the victims of the most severe forms of spousal assault as well as spousal homicide, sexual assault and criminal harassment (stalking)”. Our news media inform us regularly of yet more women and girls who are victims of lethal violence.

It’s important to remember all the women who are victims of violence. It’s even more important to take action to end that violence. We need long-term systemic solutions that will allow women to function on an equal basis in our society. We need solutions that will ensure that women have the economic security they need to end their dependence on abusive relationships. We need governments that recognize that women’s equality is not yet a reality in Canadian society.

Instead of empty rhetoric, our federal government should be taking steps that would actively promote that equality. Proactive pay equity legislation, a higher minimum wage, accessible and affordable child care and early learning programs, affordable housing, and more support for women’s crisis centres and shelters would be a start.

Instead of trying to silence women who speak out for equality, our federal government should be restoring funds for women’s advocacy and research and for equal access to justice.

On December 6, PSAC members can mourn but they can also remind their Members of Parliament that violence against women comes at a high price. According to Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006:“Studies of the economic costs of violence against women to victims and society estimate that costs to health, criminal justice, social services and lost productivity range in the billions of dollars”.

The time for action is now and the death of even one more woman is too high a price to pay.