December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Statement by Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands:

“All Canadians should take a moment to pause and reflect on the anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre when 14 women were brutally killed and another 13 wounded by a crazed gunman in Montreal on this date in 1989.”

“We mourn the loss of these women and we must take action to end gender-based violence.”

“Facts concerning Aboriginal women are especially troubling: they are almost three times more likely than non-Aboriginal women to report being the victim of a violent crime, including spousal violence. It is also estimated that over 75% of non-spousal incidents of violence against Aboriginal women are not reported to police. The Green Party fully endorses the demand by the Native Women’s Association of Canada for a federal inquiry into this ‘epidemic of violence’.”

“We can end violence against women. We want to live in a country were everyone can live without fear.”