Flag Lowered for Day of Remembrance

The Nova Scotia flag outside Province House was lowered to half-mast today, Dec. 6, to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The 10th Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre is Dec. 6.

Premier John Hamm lowered the flag with the assistance of Bernadette Boudreau-Stone. Ms. Boudreau-Stone's sister, Linda Boudreau, was murdered in her Dartmouth home by her husband two years ago.

"The murder of 14 women by one man in one day shook this nation," said Premier Hamm, referring to the shooting at L'Ecole Polytechnique 10 years ago. "It is a tragedy that the murder of women, one by one, does not evoke the same universal outrage."

He said it is up to everyone to support, encourage and continue to work to eliminate violence against women.

Jane Purves, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, said individuals have to work together to decrease the amount of violence in society and the tolerance we have for such violence.

"The problem of violence concerns all Nova Scotians," said Ms. Purves. "We must continue to work together to eliminate it from our lives."

The chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women reminded people of the reality that violence against women continues.

"Ten years later we still feel the grief and anger we felt then, having lost 14 young women," said Patricia Doyle-Bedwell. "The continuing tragedy is that in the last 10 years, 61 women in Nova Scotia have died violently. Let us remember them and recommit ourselves to action against violence."

Liberal Leader Russell MacLellan and Eileen O'Connell of the NDP also spoke during the commemoration ceremony.