11/10/2025
On December 6th, 1989, at l'École Polytechnique Montréal, 14 brilliant, hopeful, and motivated women lost their lives to a horrifying act of mass femicide-- a fatal form of gender-based violence, perpetrated by a gunman fueled by misogynistic hatred. Since then, we have seen little change in nation-wide levels of gender-based violence-- particularly, intimate partner and sexual violence. Women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals continue to be subjected to these forms of violence in high numbers, and in most severe cases, this violence can be fatal.
Although Nova Scotia officially declared intimate partner violence to be an epidemic just over a year ago, we have continued to see a rise in intimate partner violence-related deaths across the province, demonstrating an urgent need for meaningful, sufficiently funded, survivor-led prevention efforts.
Please join our organizations on Saturday, December 6th, the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women, for an evening of honouring, uplifting, and creating space for survivors of gender-based violence, while also remembering and grieving all those who have been lost to this devastating epidemic. At 4 pm, we will be meeting outside the John W. Lindsay YMCA for a candlelight walk, followed by a gathering in the YMCA Family and Child Centre for speakers, food, remembrance, and reflection. Those who are not joining the walk can meet us at 4:45 pm for the second portion of the event.
We look forward to sharing this important day with you. Our hearts are with all survivors, those who have been lost, and all those who feel the heavy weight of this epidemic each day.
