Statement by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to Mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 6, 2014) - Department of Justice Canada

"On December 6, we commemorate the 25th anniversary of one of Canada's most tragic acts of violence and remember its innocent victims. Fourteen women were murdered at the École Polytechnique de Montréal by a man who claimed to be fighting feminism. These violent acts shocked and horrified Canadians, and echo to this day.

"The Department of Justice remains committed to being an active partner in Canada's efforts to address violence against women and girls. The Government of Canada has consistently taken action to address gender-based violence in Canada, from participating in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, to our newly released Action Plan to Address Family Violence and Violent Crimes Against Aboriginal Women and Girls. In addition, the Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act, recently introduced, is intended to protect against harmful practices such as early and forced marriage, and ensure that people who kill in the name of honour are held fully responsible for their actions. Our laws, our culture, and our attitudes toward one another need constant improvement if we are to realize the full potential of our society.

"As we remember the 14 women killed at the École Polytechnique, we must work together to continue to build a country where women and girls are safe, secure, free to pursue their ambitions, and prosper."

For more information on how you can take action against violence against women and girls, please visit the following websites:

Status of Women Canada: The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence : http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/commemoration/vaw-vff/days-jours-en.html

White Ribbon Campaign: http://www.whiteribbon.ca/

The Rose Campaign: http://ywcacanada.ca/en/pages/rose/about

Ending Violence Association of British Columbia - Be More Than A Bystander (English only): http://www.endingviolence.org/node/1089

Sexual Assault Voices of Edmonton - Don't Be That Guy (English only): http://www.savedmonton.com/about-our-campaigns.html

AGIR contre la violence faite aux femmes (French only): http://oxfam.qc.ca/campus/inspirez_vous/violence_femmes

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