"On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we recall the tragic event of 13 years ago when 14 young women lost their lives at the École polytechnique de Montréal.

On December 6, 1989, Canadians everywhere were stunned by the brutality of this act. Expressions of sympathy to the families of these innocent victims poured in from across the country. It is with sadness that we reflect today on the extreme violence of which humankind is capable.

Such violence is of great concern to us all. The government is constantly working to find lasting solutions to eliminate it and support the victims of violence. A few days ago, the Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women at the different levels of government released a document entitled "Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile" that will help us gain a better understanding of this problem, increase public awareness and develop even more effective prevention policies.

On this day of remembrance, I encourage all Canadians to play an active role in ensuring the safety and well-being of, and respect for, all women."

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