Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:
“The Polytechnique massacre is a tragedy that is still seared into the memories of Canadians. Today, we remember the 14 young, bright, ambitious women who had their lives cruelly ended by a hate-filled criminal simply because they were 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.
“Each of these names represents a stolen future. For the families of the victims, they represent the empty seat at the dinner table and a void that can never be filled. For Quebecers, and for all Canadians, they serve as a grim reminder of one of our country’s darkest chapters.
“The cowardly violence that led to this tragedy was a monstrous violation of our values and of our country’s promise of safety, dignity and freedom for all. Thirty-four years later, as we remember the victims and honour the survivors, we renew our commitment to bringing home a Canada where violence against women is never tolerated and where all women can study, work, and live in confidence and freedom.”