Newsroom

News Releases

December 6, 2006

Canada's New Government remembers women victims of violence and engages all Canadians to combat violence against women

OTTAWA -- The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women spoke today at an exhibit commemorating Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

"December 6, 1989 is forever etched into Canadian history as the day 14 promising young women were murdered at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal, Minister Oda said. "Today's commemoration serves as a time for all Canadians to reflect on the concrete actions we must take, individually and collectively, to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls".

The daylong exhibit featured a range of media honouring victims, highlighting the search for missing women and sharing the words of survivors of violence. Minister Oda spoke to the media, parliamentarians and Aboriginal women's groups attending about the impact of violence against women in our society and the importance of concrete actions targeted to eliminate violence against women.

Canada's New Government is committed to address this issue. Minister Oda made changes to the terms and conditions of the Women's Program in order to increase funding priority to projects directly reducing violence against women and girls.

"Everyone knows someone who has suffered from violence. That is why our government is taking action so women and their families live in safer communities. That is why we are introducing legislation for more effective sentencing and management of sexual and violent offenders. While these are a good example of measures taken by our government, combating violence requires a collective effort", concluded Minister Oda.

In 1991, the Government of Canada established December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Canada's New Government is also committed to eliminate spousal violence among First Nations communities, by having announced an additional $6 million to better equip Canada's 35 family violence shelters on reserve.  This government is also the first to launch consultations to address the lack of matrimonial property rights on reserve and support necessary for Aboriginal women.

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:

Chisholm Pothier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
(819) 997-7788

Nancy-Jean Waugh
A/Director-General, Communications
Outreach and Parliamentary Relations
Status of Women Canada
(613) 995-7839