Thirty-six years after a gunman stormed Montreal's École Polytechnique with the explicit intent to kill women, survivor Nathalie Provost is speaking out with renewed apprehension about the social and political climate in Canada.
A Legacy of Trauma and Resilience
On December 6, 1989, a man entered the engineering school, separated male and female students, and opened fire, murdering 14 women before taking his own life. The attack was a deliberate act of antifeminist violence, targeting women in a field the shooter felt they should not occupy. Nathalie Provost, who was shot four times during the massacre, survived the horrific event that left an indelible scar on the nation's conscience.
Now, more than three decades later, Provost has told media that she feels "worried" about the current state of society. Her concerns stem from observations of rising polarization, online hate, and rhetoric that she sees as undermining the fight for gender equality. While the annual commemorations, like the recent distribution of roses at the University of Regina, continue to honour the victims, Provost suggests the underlying societal lessons remain unheeded by some.
Contemporary Echoes of a Historic Tragedy
Provost's warning comes at a time when discussions about gender-based violence, online misogyny, and the safety of women in public and professional spaces are increasingly urgent. The survivor's perspective adds a profound, personal weight to these debates, connecting the dots between a past atrocity and present-day tensions.
Her comments serve as a stark reminder that the 1989 antifeminist massacre was not an isolated incident but part of a continuum of violence against women. Provost's ongoing advocacy highlights the need for continuous vigilance and education to combat the ideologies that fueled the attack. She emphasizes that remembering the 14 women is not just about mourning but about actively working to prevent such hatred from taking root again.
The Path Forward: Remembrance and Action
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, marked every December 6th, transforms grief into a call for change. For survivors like Nathalie Provost, this day is both deeply personal and powerfully political. Her expressed worry is a challenge to Canadians to examine the social climate critically and to reaffirm a commitment to equality and safety for all.
As ceremonies were held across the country, from Montreal to Regina, the message was clear: the fight against misogyny and gender-based violence is far from over. Provost's voice, forged in tragedy and resilience, urges society not to become complacent. Thirty-six years later, the memory of the 14 young women demands more than remembrance; it demands a sustained and unwavering effort to build a world where such an attack becomes unimaginable.
