National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Durham College (DC) stands with communities across Canada in recognizing  National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Sunday December 6th 2026 . 

This year marks the 38th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre that claimed the lives of 14 women at the École Polytechnique on December 6th 1989.   This senseless act of violence left an indelible scar on our nation and led Parliament to designate December 6th as a National Day of Remembrance. That the murdered women were students and poised to break barriers as engineers in a male dominated field, resonated deeply within post-secondary institutions, including here at DC. 

Turning Tributes into Action  

As we honour the Montréal victims, we also acknowledge all women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ whose lives have been and continue to be impacted by violence because of their sex, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation. This national day reminds us of our shared responsibility to create a society where everyone can live, learn, and thrive, free from violence.  Awareness, allyship, and accountability remain among our strongest tools in ending gender-based violence.  For more information about the day and actions you can take, visit The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – Canada.ca and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence – Canada.ca 

Together, let us reaffirm our dedication to a safer, more equitable future for all — one grounded in respect, compassion, and justice.