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On December 6th, communities across Ontario will gather for vigils, memorials and other ceremonies to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The majority of CUPE Ontario members are women and we have a proud history, as sisters and brothers, of standing together for the rights of all women. In workplaces, we have negotiated contracts containing anti‐harassment language and pay equity provisions. We mounted a multi‐year political action campaign to achieve legislation protecting workers from workplace violence and harassment. And we are continuing our work to break down barriers to employment equity and to ensure safe workplaces. Our history of strong women leaders has built CUPE Ontario and the labour movement into a powerful voice for equality.
This day of remembrance was established to remember the fourteen women murdered on December 6, 1989 at l’École Polytechnique in Montréal, simply because they were women. CUPE member, Maryse Laganière, who worked at the school, was one of those killed and on this day we also remember how violence against women makes our workplaces unsafe.
Despite government commitments to end violence against women following that tragic day, more than half of Canadian women will still experience violence during their lives.
CUPE Ontario members have always taken action to ensure violence and harassment are not tolerated in our workplaces or in our communities. This year, we encourage you to write to your MP and demand an inquiry into the 600 aboriginal women who have been murdered and disappeared over the last 30 years. Aboriginal women make up only 3 percent of Canada’s female population but account for 10 percent of all murdered women. It is unthinkable that the Harper government continues to refuse an inquiry.
Together, we will continue to stand up for a world that is fair, that is just, that is free of all violence, including gender‐based violence.
Let us not forget…
Genevieve Bergeron was 21 years old
Helene Colgan was 23 years old
Nathalie Croteau was 23 years old
Barbara Daigneault was 22 years old
Anne‐Marie Edward was 21 years old
Maud Haviernick was 29 years old
Barbara Maria Klucznik was 31 years old
Maryse Leclair was 23 years old
Annie St‐Arneault was 23 years old
Michele Richard was 21 years old
Maryse Laganiere, CUPE member, was 25 years old
Anne‐Marie Lemay was 22 years old
Annie Turcotte was 21 years old
Sonia Pelletier was 23 years old
Click Here to read the full letter from Fred and Candace
