Premier John Horgan and Grace Lore, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, have issued the following statement to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

“Each year in Canada, we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, remembering 14 people who were murdered because they were women, at École Polytechnique in Montreal on Dec. 6, 1989. This misogynist act brought the dangers of sexism to the forefront of Canada’s consciousness – forcing us to reckon with the real-life consequences of sexist attitudes that harm women and hold them back every day.

“This year, the country grieved again with the murders of nine men and 13 women and girls in Nova Scotia at the hands of a man with a history of violence toward his partner. This tragedy is a grim reminder that often, intimate partner violence is a precursor to further violence outside of the home.

“This year has been particularly hard for women in dangerous situations. The COVID-19 pandemic has put women at greater risk of violence by increasing risk factors associated with men’s violence toward women. It has also reduced women’s contacts and resources – both in and outside the home.

“Lives depend on us taking action. We are working on an action plan to help end gender-based violence in British Columbia. This plan will recognize the connections between gender-based violence and other key government policies, including new standards for services, better training for people working in the justice system and more stable, secure funding for sexual assault centres.

“Indigenous women, Black women, women of colour, transgender women, gender queer and non-binary folks, and those with disabilities are at higher risk of being targeted for gender-based violence, which makes addressing transphobia, ableism and racism an important part of taking action on this issue.

“As we remember the 14 women who were killed on Dec. 6, 1989 – 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 and Annie Turcotte – let’s also commit to supporting and believing survivors of gender-based violence, while working together to build a better future.”

For a French translation, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0063-002004#translations