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News Releases
December 6, 1999
CEREMONY OF ROSES HONOURS THE 14 WOMEN KILLED ON DECEMBER 6, 1989
OTTAWA -- The Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), announced today that the 10th anniversary of the tragic deaths of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal will be marked with a special Ceremony of Roses, to be held at 15:15 EST in the Hall of Honour of the Parliament of Canada.
"It is important that we honour these young women," Dr. Fry said. "Their deaths galvanized us as a nation to mark each December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The senseless loss of their young lives has become symbolic of the experience of all women whose lives are shattered by deliberate acts of gender-based violence. December 6 is the day on which all Canadians can pause to remember, and then renew our resolve to end the violence."
Following a minute of silence in the House of Commons, Dr. Fry will host the Ceremony of Roses. Participants include: the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada; Leaders of the Opposition Parties and their critics; Leader of the Senate and the Senate Opposition; and NGOs involved in initiatives addressing violence against women.
Also on December 6, across Canada, a minute of silence will be observed in legislatures that are in session. The minute of silence will occur at different times, depending on the schedules of individual legislatures.
"In the Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada articulated its commitment to building safer communities. If we are to achieve this goal, we must all join the cause to end the violence so that women can feel safe in their homes, their schools, their workplaces and on the streets," Dr. Fry said. "Governments alone cannot effect change but by working together, men and women across the country, in community groups and corporations, from educators to elected officials at all levels of government can end the tragedy of gender-based violence. We must never forget the 14 slain women, and only by remembering and working together for change will a legacy of sorrow evolve into a future of hope," Dr. Fry said.
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