Mr. Speaker, Canadians commemorate December 6 as the national day of remembrance and action on violence against women. 1998 marks nearly a full decade since the tragic deaths of 14 promising young women at École Polytechnique in Montreal.
Let us remember them by name: Geneviève Bergeron, 21; Hélène Colgan, 23; Nathalie Croteau, 23; Barbara Daigneault, 22; Anne-Marie Edward, 21; Maud Haviernick, 29; Barbara Marie Klueznik, 31; Maryse Leclair, 23; Annie St. Arneault, 23; Michele Richard, 21; Maryse Langanière, 25; Anne-Marie Lemay, 22; Sonia Pelletier, 28; and Annie Turcotte, 21. These are the beloved daughters, sisters and friends who are deeply missed to this day.
Canada is that much more poorer because of the remarkable promise lost in these young lives. By remembering them and acknowledging our collective loss, may we be inspired to create a peaceful society, a society where gender based violence must never again cut short the lives of women.