Madam Speaker, today we commemorate the tragedy that took place at École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989. Thirty-five years ago, 14 women were brutally murdered simply because they were women. This femicide left a lasting mark on our society and impresses upon us the importance of fighting violence against women and hate speech. We honour the memory of the victims, and we support their families and the survivors.
This grim anniversary encourages us to reflect on the progress accomplished since then and the work that remains to be done toward building an egalitarian society that is safe for all women. As parliamentarians, we have a duty to strengthen our laws in order to prevent such tragedies, to support education and awareness initiatives, and to unequivocally condemn all acts of violence. Despite the pain it has caused, may this tragedy inspire us to take action for a better tomorrow.
We will never forget them.