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.

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The B.C. Federation of Labour invites you to: National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

• Wednesday, December 6, 2006, 7:30 am
• Women’s Breakfast
• Days Inn Hotel, 9850 King George Hwy., Surrey, BC

There is no charge for this event but those wishing to attend must RSVP to the Switchboard at the B.C. Federation of Labour - 604-430-1421.

Rally Against Violence Against Women, hosted by Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter.

• December 6th, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Vancouver Public Library - north side, 350 West Georgia.
• Info (604) 872-8212

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. They died because they were women.

As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6 represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

Violence against women remains a reality in our world. Federal funding for equality-seeking women’s groups is inadequate and threatened. Two dollars for every woman and girl in our society should be allocated for women’s equality. It is not too much to ask.

Send an email message to your MP to raise awareness.