NDP statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement:

“On this day 35 years ago, 14 women were murdered and 14 more women injured at the École Polytechnique de Montréal because of their gender. Today, we remember and honour the victims who had their promising futures cut short, and we recommit to take action to stop gender-based violence.

The École Polytechnique massacre was a heinous act of violence and hatred against women. The pain and suffering of victims, Survivors and their loved ones sent shockwaves throughout our country. Women and girls were left to fear for their safety, and that fear continues today because misogyny and violence against women are still deep and real problems in our society.

Our NDP caucus brought forward legislation to criminalize coercive control in abuse intimate partner relationships. Ninety-five per cent of victims of intimate partner violence say that they experienced coercive behavior before their relationship turned physically violent. With this legislation, more women and gender diverse people will have the resources and legal protection they need to be safe.

Indigenous and racialized women are disproportionately impacted by gender-based violence, and we need to do more to remove the systemic racism and sexism in our legal system. That’s also why we fought to implement the Red Dress Alert system to stem the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people.

On the 35th anniversary of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we recommit to prioritizing women’s safety; to tackling the misogyny and hate at the root of violence against women; and to take actions that help guarantee that women can live their lives free from hate, harassment, and violence because of their gender.”