December 6th
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Today, we observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women—a solemn day in Canada to honour the lives lost to gender-based violence and to recommit ourselves to creating safer, more equitable spaces for all women and gender-diverse people.
December 6 marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique tragedy, when 14 young women were targeted and murdered simply because they were women. Today, we remember their names, their futures, and their contributions that were stolen:
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
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
Their loss continues to echo through our communities and reminds us that gender-based violence is not only a historical tragedy—it remains a pressing and persistent issue in Canada.
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) continues its work to address gender-based violence and advance gender equality through its Human Rights and Diversity Committee and its Women’s Caucus, which advocate for the rights, safety, and representation of women within the federal public service. These efforts include:
Advancing safer, more inclusive workplaces free from harassment, discrimination, and violence
Supporting strong policies and collective agreement protections for women and gender-diverse members
Promoting education and awareness on issues such as harassment, domestic violence, and workplace safety
Ensuring women’s voices remain central in union decision-making spaces
Working with labour partners across Canada to end gender-based violence
Today, as members, leaders, and allies, we honour the victims by recommitting ourselves to action—to challenging misogyny, supporting survivors, and continuing the work toward a world where violence has no place.