Prime Minister Stephen Harper is urging Canadians to eliminate violence against women as the country marks the 21st anniversary of the Montreal massacre.
In 1989, Marc Lépine gunned down 14 female students at Montreal's École Polytechnique.
Mr. Harper described the tragedy as “one of the most heinous acts of violence in Canadian history” and said the best way to honour the victims is by working to eliminate violence against women while making communities safer.
Those sentiments are being echoed Monday by federal politicians of all party stripes on Parliament Hill, where flags have been lowered to half-mast.
New Democratic Leader Jack Layton says particular attention needs to be paid to aboriginal women, who face “staggering” rates of violence, aggravated by extreme poverty and discrimination.
Governor-General David Johnston called the massacre “a black mark on our history” and is challenging Canadians to work together to end all forms of violence against women.
More to come.
