On the bustling final day of classes at the University of Regina, advocates paused their routines to solemnly honour the 14 women murdered at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6, 1989. YWCA Regina, in collaboration with the U of R Women's Centre, marked the 36th anniversary of the anti-feminist attack, which is also Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Red Roses and Remembrance on Campus
Long-time YWCA volunteer Barb Byers handed out red roses to students in a busy university hallway. The simple, poignant act aimed to stop passersby and remind them of the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence. Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen, CEO of YWCA Regina, explained the dual purpose of the tribute. "It’s about honouring the women who were killed, and it’s also about continuing the conversation about the fact that women were murdered because they were women," she said.
Signs bearing the names and photos of the 14 engineering students were also displayed, ensuring their memories were central to the day of reflection.
A Stark Saskatchewan Reality
The commemoration comes against a grim backdrop in the province. Statistics Canada data for 2023 revealed Saskatchewan had the highest per capita rate of family and intimate partner violence among all provinces. More recent RCMP data suggests these alarming rates continue to climb, with women disproportionately impacted.
Coomber-Bendtsen pointed to complex reasons for the province's troubling statistics, including geography. "Many people live outside of our city centres, and we do know that violence against women is prevalent in rural Saskatchewan," she noted. Challenges within the justice system, legislation, and a historical reluctance to openly discuss the issue were also cited as contributing factors.
Broadening the Fight: From Digital Violence to Bystander Action
To draw wider attention, YWCA Regina is participating in the global 16 Days of Activism campaign. This year's focus is on digital violence, including cyberstalking and doxing—the malicious publishing of private information online.
In a related move, the Saskatchewan government launched the latest phase of its domestic violence campaign on December 4. The initiative features a video highlighting the critical role of bystanders in preventing abuse. Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod stated, "Research shows that while many people want to help, they worry about the best way to safely and effectively speak up and take action."
The events at the University of Regina served as a powerful, local reminder that the call for action stemming from the 1989 tragedy remains urgently relevant, especially in a province grappling with persistently high rates of violence against women.