National Day of Remembrance Ceremony

STATUS OF WOMEN- National Day of Remembrance Ceremony

A flag-lowering ceremony was held this morning at Province House in observance of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Dec. 6 marks the 11th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, where 14 women were murdered by one man. Jane Purves, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and Patricia Doyle-Bedwell, council chair, lowered the flag.

"There is no doubt that over the past 11 years there has been a gradual improvement in awareness levels surrounding violence against women," said Ms. Purves. "But more needs to be done. We need to encourage women to not only survive, but thrive. It is up to all of us to do what we can to ensure that women can thrive, to change the reality of violence in our society."

Ms. Doyle-Bedwell said it is important for Canadians to recognize Dec. 6 every year.

"We continue to mark this event because we know so very well that violence against women continues today," said Ms. Doyle-Bedwell. "We want the families who have suffered a loss to know that we will never forget their loved ones or how they died. What we forget we are doomed to relive."

Interim Liberal Leader Wayne Gaudet and Helen MacDonald, Leader of the NDP, also spoke during the ceremony.