Harper issues statement for Action on Violence Against Women Day

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

"On December 6, 1989, a shocked nation mourned the tragic and untimely loss of 14 innocent and promising young women after Marc Lépine walked into l'École Polytechnique de Montréal and took their lives because of their gender.

While the senseless events of that day will never fully be understood, we must continue to do our utmost to ensure such a tragedy never occurs again and to protect society's most vulnerable.

Our Government is making significant investments to end violence against women and girls in communities across the country and will continue to advocate for the fair and unbiased treatment of all citizens. More needs to be done. Every Canadian has a role to play in breaking the cycle of violence and discrimination against women.

On this tragic anniversary, let us remember and commemorate the lives of all women who have been victims of intolerable acts of gender-based violence, and let us strive to eliminate these heinous and cowardly crimes."