Ontario Greens statement on National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women

December 6, 2024

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens Deputy Leader and MPP for Kitchener Centre Aislinn Clancy released the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

“Today we take a moment to remember the 14 women, who were separated from their male colleagues on their university campus at École Polytechnique and killed 35 years ago. These women never came home for the holidays.

Their needless deaths symbolizes the ongoing acts of hate that continue in this province and across the world, which are becoming more prevalent in our communities.

I’m worried about the rise of toxic masculinity, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia in our communities, in our province and online.

It’s what led a young man studying at the University of Waterloo last year to target a gender studies class, stabbing staff and students. Traumatizing them and the campus community.

It’s vital that we listen to survivors and lift up the voices of women everywhere in our province.

On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Ontario Greens call on the Ford government to: 

• Pass legislation to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic in Ontario
• Adequately fund social supports for women who experience gender-based violence, including transitional housing
• Increase tenant protections and the shelter allowance for those on social assistance so women and gender-diverse people are not trapped in dangerous living situations due to too-high housing costs
• Address the systemic causes of inequality and gender based violence through policies like affordable childcare and economic advancement opportunities.”

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