Mr. Speaker, 27 years ago today, I was a first year university student. I remember walking the halls between classes, hearing the gasps of students huddled around televisions as the news broke. A man walked into École Polytechnique in Montreal and shot and killed 14 young women just like me.
Across the country, Canadians, myself included, will take a moment today to mark the tragedy. I would like to commend those on the front line who day in and day out continue to support women survivors and those vulnerable to violence.
I am talking about organizations in my riding such as the NROC resource centre, whose counselling program provides isolated and victimized women a space where they can break that isolation. There are also the volunteers at Nelson House and other shelters in the area who work around the clock to help women in need.
I applaud the Grandmothers Advocacy Network and many other organizations for their work in ending gender-based violence.