The fifth anniversary of the fatal shooting at Montreal's Dawson College was remembered with words and gestures of peace Tuesday.
Survivors, students and dignitaries were on hand for the unveiling of a "peace garden" near the main campus where the killing took place five years ago today.
Anastasia De Sousa, an 18-year-old student, died after being shot by Kimveer Gill; a part of the garden is named after her.
About another 20 people were injured in the attack.
Ms. De Sousa's parents wore pink at Tuesday's ceremony because it was their daughter's favourite colour.
Her mother, Louise De Sousa, said she hoped the garden would provide students with a place for tranquility and reflection.
When asked how she felt, five years later, she said little had changed.
"(It's) the same thing. The feelings are still there," Ms. De Sousa said.
"It's hard to describe."
She said she was flooded with a range of emotions during Tuesday's ceremony, where students sang songs including one written by Dawson students for her daughter.
The shooting sparked renewed debate on gun-control debate in Canada.
When asked for their opinion, Ms. De Sousa's parents said they did not want to discuss politics during the anniversary.
But Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay, who was also on hand, said in an interview that it would be a mistake to scrap the long-run registry as the Harper government has promised to do this fall.
The mayor said the city will formally ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper to at least meet with Anastasia De Sousa's family before taking any action on the gun registry.