Mr. Speaker, on this day 32 years ago, an unspeakable tragedy shook Canada to its core. A gunman walked into a classroom at Polytechnique Montréal, separated the women from the men then opened fire on the women. Fourteen women were murdered, 13 more wounded and many communities shattered.
Today, we remember Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne‑Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne‑Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St‑Arneault, Annie Turcotte and Barbara Klucznik‑Widajewicz.
My heart goes out to the families and friends who lost a loved one on December 6, to those who were wounded and to all those whose lives were turned upside down by this tragedy.
Today and every day, we pay tribute to the incredible courage of the survivors, who found the strength to keep on living.
All Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities, but gun violence is on the rise in Canada's largest cities. We have taken strong action on gun control, but we recognize that there is still much work to do.
Nobody should have to face violence because of who they are, yet that is the terrifying reality for far too many women, youth and people of every gender identity and expression.
I stand in solidarity with all survivors and families of those impacted by gender-based violence.
As we reflect on the ongoing impact of gender-based violence, I want to acknowledge that some communities are impacted more than others. I think of women and girls, notably women and girls who are indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomers; women and girls living in northern, rural and remote communities; women with disabilities; seniors; and LGBTQ2 people. The devastating impacts of gender-based violence expand beyond those who directly experience it. Violence has long-lasting health, social and economic effects that can span across generations. This creates cycles of violence within families and sometimes among communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the inequities in society and the urgency for a national action plan to end gender-based violence.
I want to inform Canadians that we are on track to getting it done. We have heard from survivors, advocates and experts across the country that we need to do more. That is why we swiftly supported Canadian organizations providing life-saving services for anyone experiencing violence during the pandemic. Our government committed to $300 million in funding to more than 1,200 organizations. This has meant that 1.3 million women, mothers and young children had a safer place to turn to. We supported women's shelters, indigenous off-reserve shelters, sexual assault centres, women's organizations and other organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence, and we are committed to doing more.
In the past few weeks, I have met with gender-based violence and equality-seeking organizations in Halifax, in Toronto, in Ottawa and more. I have listened to them. I have listened to the needs of partners right across the country, and I am determined to continue supporting survivors. These organizations have worked tirelessly to serve women and families in city centres and in rural and remote areas throughout the harshest months of this pandemic. They did not get a break. They rolled up their sleeves, put their masks on and went straight to work. I assured them, and I assure all members here today, that our government will be by their side. We will ensure they have the necessary resources to sustain strong, viable and inclusive services for survivors.
Our work does not stop here. After all, it is on all of us to be part of the solution, because everyone, in fact, has a responsibility to stand against misogyny, sexism and hate.
As my hon. colleagues know, we are nearing the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs until Human Rights Day on December 10. This year's theme, “16 Days and Beyond”, challenges every single person in Canada to step up, to speak out and to take action against acts of gender-based violence, not just during the 16 days of activism but each and every day. Gender equality benefits all of us and everyone has an important role to play in advancing it.
Across Canada, thousands of men and boys are joining the causes for gender equality and we must continue to grow their ranks by calling men into the movement and by having these important conversations with our sons. Men and boys are an important part of this conversation, not just as allies in the struggle for gender equality but because they too are impacted by gender-based violence. We need positive role models to ensure a culture of respect, a culture that values every individual and every community.
The 14 young women who died at École Polytechnique 32 years ago will be always in our thoughts, always in our hearts. They will live on as a constant reminder of what misogyny and hate can do. Everyone has the right to live free from violence and we will continue to work with Canadians to end it in all its forms.
