December 6th, 2010

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, PC, MP, Minister for Status of Women.
Greetings friends and supporters of the White Ribbon Campaign.

December 6th in Canada, is our National Day of Remembrance and Action on Ending Violence Against Women.

As usual it offers us one day out of the year to pause and reflect on the horrors of the Montreal Massacre; how far we have come (or not come as it may be); and how we must continue to be utterly dissatisfied with the status quo.

December 6th has always been a difficult day for me, filled with painful memories of that traumatic day 21 years ago, profound experiences through university as our country (and myself personally) struggled to come to grips with the issue of violence against women, incredible hopefulness at what has been accomplished, and seething frustration at how much still remains to be done.

To that end, in that mix of emotions, I want to share six simple words I would ask you to take forward for the other 364 days of the year.

Never forget.
Be hopeful.
Take action.

Never forget the lives lost on December 6th 1989; never forget the millions more affected and traumatized by violence against women around the world. Never forget, because if we do, history is destined to repeat itself, as we have learned from so many of this planet's other great struggles for justice against inhumanity.
Be hopeful, because while hope is not a strategy, hope is a belief system, hope is a catalyst, hope is a motivator. If there is no hope for a safer, less violent world then there is no point, and I have met and heard too many survivors and families to concede this.

Take action, because we can all do more, and we can all do something. Speak up, speak out, listen, learn, act. The kinds of changes we need to see take place on an individual level as much as societal levels. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "The difference between what we are capable of doing, and what we actually do would suffice to solve most of the world's problems." And as we say around White Ribbon Campaign, we are capable of doing a lot more.

Until the violence stops,

Todd Minerson
Executive Director
White Ribbon Campaign

Amazing Support From The Ottawa Sting Major Midget AA Team

The 16 to 17 year old boys of The Ottawa Sting Major Midget AA Team, headed by coach Steve Besharah, took the initiative to support White Ribbon Campaign during the 2009 campaign period.

White Ribbon Campaign Canada is awed by their level of support and commitment to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and their ability to spread the message through their community.

An email I received from a team representative, alerting me to their initiative explains it best:

Steve, the team's head coach, wholeheartedly supported the team's participation in the White Ribbon Campaign. Their participation officially began on Friday, November 27th with an information session performed by Bailey Reid of Neighbours, Friends and Families, (and a member of OCTEVAW) about healthy relationships, violence against women and an introduction to the White Ribbon Campaign in particular, all of which seemed very well-received by the boys.

Their sweaters with the ribbons sewn on were handed out that night, and they wore them for their practice (and for the subsequent week). This evening was covered by CJOH-TV (unfortunately the clip could not be found online - ed); and includes coverage of the Montreal Massacre, a brief interview with Bailey and some of her presentation, words from three of the team's members, and an overview of them skating on the Peplinski arena ice, part of the Jim Durrell Complex in Ottawa.

The players wore their sweaters the following night, Saturday, November 28th, in a game against the Gloucester Rangers (also a Major Midget AA Team) at the Armstrong arena in Gloucester. This team also agreed to wear white ribbons which were sewn on their shorts! Posters and white ribbons for the spectators were available in the waiting area.

On Monday, November 30th, the team played another game, this time on their own turf at Sandy Hill arena against the Kanata Blazers (another Major Midget AA Team), and the campaign was spotlighted by: the Kanata Blazers also wearing White Ribbons; close to 50 ribbons being distributed to a mix of parents in the waiting room, and the game ending with a brief congratulatory talk by Zac Brunet about the White Ribbon Campaign.

The boys continued to wear their sweaters throughout the week, ending with a team practice in their ribboned jerseys on Sunday, December 6th.

Amazing work boys! Truly inspirational.

National Day Of Remeberance & Action On Vionlence Against Women

I was able to attend the University of Toronto's Status of Women Office's memorial today in the Great Hall at Hart House.

As I was listening to the inspiring, and often saddening words of teachers, students and aboriginal elders (not only speaking out against violence but also speaking out in favour of action) in a gorgeous hall, with the sun shining through stained glass windows, I was struck by that fact that 9 of the 10 paintings hanging around the walls were men. Only one was a woman.

You can see this in almost any hospital, academic institution, government office, corporate office that has similarly distinguished 'alma mater' hanging on the walls of important rooms.

memorial benches outside of hart house

While listening to speeches about gender equality, it was readily apparent that we have a long way to go. How long will it take for 5/10 paintings to be those of women leaders?

I was still thinking about this while I was listening to the radio and caught news that "Toronto city council voted Friday to force the boards of eight arenas to submit full ice-time allocations in the 2010-11 season." And I thought that that was excellent news, a step in the right direction.

But of course, that city council had to hold a vote to "force" people to include women and girls instead of that be the defacto state of affairs is a pretty sad fact of life today.

We have a long way to go.

remembrance awareness action 1989-2009 from q_e_d on Vimeo.

Send A Rose To Your MP!

JOIN THE ROSE CAMPAIGN to End Violence Against Women & Girls
November 25-December 6

Visit www.rosecampaign.ca to send your MP a virtual rose today.

Announcement From The Honourable Laurel Broten Minister Responsible for Women Issues

Unanimous Consent Statement
The Honourable Laurel Broten
Minister Responsible for Women Issues
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 3, 2009

Mr. Speaker, twenty years ago this Sunday marks a dark day in Canadian history. On December 6, 1989, a gunman walked into l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal and killed 14 female engineering students.

It was a day I remember clearly. I was an undergraduate science student in a predominantly male graduating class, a political activist, a feminist.

I remember my shock, my confusion and my growing sense of vulnerability.
And over the next few days, my friends and I saw clearly December 6 for what it was: a heinous act of misogyny.

This act of hatred was not an attack against students or engineers. It was an attack against women. And it became a defining moment for Canadian women.
These students were not just victims of an indiscriminate criminal act. They were women who were - friends, daughters and sisters whose families were shattered by the bullets that struck them.

They were daughters of parents who encouraged them to take the road less traveled – a career in engineering.

Mr. Speaker, today, as I stand in acknowledgement of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, I ask that my colleagues in this House join me in remembering, not only the 14 women who were killed that day, but all women who have died as a result of gender-based violence.

Mr. Speaker, I also rise to acknowledge the internationally-sanctioned 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, November 25 to December 10. It reminds us that violence against women is an unacceptable violation of human rights and a principle barrier to gender equality.

As a lawyer, an advocate, a friend, in my previous role as Parliamentary Assistant to Premier McGuinty and now, as Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, I have met women who have suffered abuse. I am moved by their determination to change their lives and to keep their children safe and free of violence.

The tragedy of December 6 reminds us that we must not let our vigilance wane. We must continue to educate girls and boys, men and women that we all have a responsibility to end violence against women.

Today, I invite all members to wear a Rose Button to remember the women who died and recommit to taking action on violence against women and girls, and to also wear a White Ribbon to signify men’s opposition to violence against women.

I ask that all members to stand and bow their heads for one minute of silence for the 14 engineering students who were killed December 6, 1989 and for all women who have died through violence.

Geneviève Bergeron, 21
Hélène Colgan, 23
Nathalie Croteau, 23
Barbara Daigneault, 22
Anne-Marie Edward, 21
Maud Haviernick, 29
Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz, 31
Maryse Laganière, 25
Maryse Leclair, 23
Anne-Marie Lemay, 27
Sonia Pelletier, 23
Michèle Richard, 21
Annie St-Arneault, 23
Annie Turcotte, 21

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I call upon all Ontarians to work together to end violence against women.

Download the PDF version in ENGLISH and in FRENCH

Women Won't Forget

Sunday December 6^th is the National Day of Action and Remembrance on Violence Against Women and the 20^th Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre

Women Won’t Forget invite you to attend our annual candlelight vigil on Sunday, December 6 at 6 pm at Philosopher’s Walk (path off Bloor St. west of Ave Rd. between the Royal Ontario Museum and the Royal Conservatory of Music). We gather to remember the fourteen women who were killed in Montreal as well as the women who have been killed since then because of male violence. The Vigil consists of a Native healing ceremony, speakers and musical and spoken word performers and ends with the laying of roses. Everyone is welcome. Ceremony proceeds regardless of the weather. For more information call 416.762.8798 or visit www.womenwontforget.org

November 25th, 2009

It is that time of year again when the world focuses on the global problem of violence against women and gender inequality.

This year, the 10th anniversary of UN Resolution 54/134 and the 20th Anniversary of the December 6th Montreal Massacre, it is more important than ever to take a stand against violence against women.

Take the pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

Where a white ribbon. Educate yourself and your community.

Dinner & Play: Remembering the Victims & Celebrating the Survivors - December 6, 2009

From Arising Women Place:

On the 20th National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, you are cordially invited to our first “Dinner & Play: Remembering the Victims & Celebrating the Survivors”. In memory of the victims of the Montreal massacre at l’Ecold Polytechnique on December 6, 1989.


When: Sunday December 6, 2009
6:00 to 10:00pm

Where: the Delta Toronto East
2035, Kennedy Road
Scarborough, ON
Kennedy & 401

Cost: $100.00/person
Cheque payable Money order or Cash to Arising Women Place

RSVP by November 15, 2009
Please click here to download full invitation