NORTH GRENVILLE, ON - Mayor Nancy Peckford issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women:
“On behalf of Council and the Municipality of North Grenville, we join with Canadians across the country to remember and reflect on the fourteen women who lost their lives in the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989. On this day, a gunman entered a classroom at École Polytechnique Montréal, and killed 14 women as an intentional act of gender-based violence.
On December 6, we honour and remember these 14 women: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.
Municipal Flags have been lowered to half-mast.
Council recognizes that gender-based violence continues to be a reality in our community and across our country. We know that during the pandemic, incidents of family violence - and many women and children have faced a heightened risk of partner-related violence and abuse.
As Mayor of North Grenville and Warden of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, I am committed to working alongside Council colleagues, community partners and municipal staff, as we strive for a community where everyone has a safe place to work and call home.
The Municipality of North Grenville provides annual funding to Victim Services of Leeds & Grenville for enhanced local community support here.
Residents experiencing violence in North Grenville have access to a dedicated professional at Leeds and Grenville’s Victim Services who can meet privately in person or over the phone and provide confidential feedback and assistance.
Every single one of us has a role to play in helping to prevent and address gender-based violence by remembering and learning from our past, listening to survivors, speaking up against harmful behaviour and getting families the crucial supports they need.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and lost who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action.
Ways to honour the victims of this tragedy on December 6:
- Wear a white ribbon
- Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 am
- Follow the Municipality of North Grenville’s social media posts today and throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (from November 25 – December 10) and add your voice to the conversation.
If you or someone you know is in need of support, please reach out. Together, we can create the conditions for families, schools, workplaces and a community that is free of violence.”
Community Supports:
- Victim Services of Leeds & Grenville 1-800-939-7682
- Leeds & Grenville Interval House 1-800-267-4409
- Naomi House 613-774-2838 (24/7 Crisis Line)
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline 1-866-863-0511 Text #SAFE (#7233)
- Assault Response & Care Centre 1-800-567-7415
- Children’s Mental Health of Leeds and Grenville 1-800-809-2494
For more information contact:
Jill Sturdy, Corporate Media Relations Officer
613-258-9569 ext. 168
