We remember
On December 6, 1989, a 25 year old man arrived at the École Polytechnique in Montreal armed with a Mini-14 rifle and a hunting knife, shot 28 people, killing 14 women, before committing suicide. He began his attack by entering a classroom at the university, where he separated the male and female students. After claiming that he was "fighting feminism" and calling the women "a bunch of feminists," he shot all nine women in the room, killing six. He then moved through corridors, the cafeteria, and another classroom, specifically targeting women to shoot. Overall, he killed fourteen women and injured ten other women and four men in just under 20 minutes before turning the gun on himself. His suicide note claimed political motives and blamed feminists for ruining his life. The note included a list of 19 Quebec women whom the shooter considered to be feminists and apparently wished to kill. It is the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada was established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada. In addition to commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of violence that shocked the nation, December 6 represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the victims of daily violence, and to remember those who have died as a result of it. Perhaps most importantly, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of gender and sex-based violence.
was 21-years-old. She was always active and loved diving and skiing.
Anne-marie Edward Maud Haviernick
was 29-years-old and had a degree in environmental design from the University of Quebec in Montreal. She was in her second year studying metallurgical engineering at Polytechnique.
Anne-marie Lemay
was 22-years-old. She had a passion for helping others. She hoped to study medicine, and was enjoying her program in Engineering.
was 23-years-old. She was an avid writer. She wrote a collection of poems that were published by her brother posthumously.
Annie St-arneault Barbara Klucznik-widajewicz
was 31years-old. She and her husband had immigrated to Montreal from Poland just two years prior.
Geneviève Bergeron
was 21-years-old. She sang in a choir and played in a band while attending École FACE in Montreal.
was 20-years-old. She attended Champlain College in Lennoxville. She was environmentally conscious and hoped to use her education to protect the planet.
was 23-years-old and was in her last year of mechanical engineering.
Annie Turcotte Hélène Colgan
She had a number of job offers and was looking forward to doing a master's degree.
Maryse Laganière
was 25-years-old. She was recently-married and worked in the Finance office at the Polytechnique.
was 23-years-old. She was a distinguished student, one year away from graduating. Her father, police Lt. Pierre Leclair, is the one who found her.
Maryse Leclair Michèle Richard
was 21-years-old. She was making a presentation with Maud Haviernick when the shooting occurred.
was 23-years-old. She was planning to leave on vacation to Cancun, Mexico with Hélène Colgan just two weeks after the shooting.
was 22-years-old. Engineering ran in her family. Her father had taught mechanical engineering at l'université du Quebec à Montreal.
was 29-years-old. She was killed just one day before she was to receive her mechanical engineering degree. She had been the "head of the class" while growing up on Québec's Gaspé Peninsula.
Nathalie Croteau Barbara Daigneault Sonia Pelletier