On Dec. 6 — the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women — Brock University remembers and honours the 14 women whose lives were tragically cut short by a horrific act of gender-based violence that took place on Dec. 6, 1989, at École Polytechnique in Montreal.

On this day, the University community also re-commits to ending gender-based violence and discrimination in all of its forms.

Intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault and unwanted sexual attention are real problems encountered by women and girls in Canada every single day.

For Indigenous women, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and other vulnerable groups, the issue is even more severe, as these individuals are at even greater risk of experiencing gender-based violence.

That’s why today, and every day, we remember those lost at École Polytechnique and commit to ending gender-based violence and discrimination once and for all.

Community members are encouraged to attend Wednesday’s remembrance ceremony, which will take place starting at 8:45 a.m. in the Rankin Family Pavilion Atrium, and to observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m.

Brock’s flags will also be flown at half-mast in recognition of the day.