Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

“Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte.

“These 14 women were students and staff at École Polytechnique de Montréal. They were full of promise and potential, with every hope of a bright future. On Dec. 6, 1989, their lives ended in brutal violence, killed because of their gender.

“I join British Columbians observing a moment of silence to honour their memory, and recommit to take action to end all forms of violence against women.”

A ceremony of remembrance will be held at 12 p.m. in the Hall of Honour of the B.C. Parliament Buildings on Dec. 6, in honour of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The Canadian flag on the Parliament Buildings grounds will fly at half-mast from sunrise to sunset.

The international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence began Nov. 25 and ends Dec. 10.