Midland event marks anniversary of l’École Polytechnique massacre
The event honoured the 14 women who were murdered on that fateful day, as well as the women who have lost their lives in Ontario
On Friday, December 6, Huronia Transition Homes (HTH) observed the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women with their annual Vigil at Operation Grow. The event, marking 35 years since the tragic massacre at l’École Polytechnique in Montréal, honoured the 14 women who were murdered on that fateful day, as well as the women who have lost their lives in Ontario due to gender-based violence over the past year.
Fifty community members attended the Vigil, where the names of the women who died at l’École Polytechnique and in Ontario over the past year were read aloud. With each name, a single rose was placed into a vase, symbolizing the life and death of each victim. This poignant ceremony highlighted the ongoing impact of gender-based violence, bringing attention to the importance of remembrance and action. The event concluded with a community activity designed to reflect on collective efforts to combat violence against women and envision a safer future for Midland and beyond.
Honouring the Lives of Women Lost to Gender-Based Violence
The National Day of Remembrance and Action is an opportunity to reflect on the lives of those we have lost to violence. Among those remembered were Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam, three women who were brutally murdered in 2015 by a man with whom each had previously been in a relationship. In 2022, the inquest into their deaths, known as the CKW Inquest, led to 86 recommendations aimed at addressing intimate partner violence in Ontario. One of the key recommendations was to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in the province, a crucial step in officially acknowledging the scale of this crisis—something organizations like HTH have been advocating for decades.
This year alone, 155 women and girls have been murdered in Canada, with 53 women and 9 children tragically losing their lives in Ontario. One of these femicides occurred this past summer in Midland, underscoring the urgent need for continued action and vigilance in addressing gender-based violence.
A Call to Action: Reflecting on the Epidemic of Violence
"If we do not call this an epidemic, then what are we allowing it to be? What term can we use that lets this violence continue? These deaths matter. They are our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, and our best friends,” said Amanda Wagner, Coordinator of the Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) project at Huronia Transition Homes, who spoke at the Vigil. “This day is not just a moment of reflection—it is a critical call to action to challenge the systems of power that perpetuate violence and inequality. This is not just about remembering the dead; it’s about taking action to dismantle the structures that allow violence against women to persist.”
Wagner’s words echoed the urgency of the Vigil's message: that remembrance must be paired with decisive action to stop the cycle of violence.
Introducing New Elements to the Vigil: A Gallery Walk for Reflection and Action
This year’s Vigil featured several new elements aimed at fostering deeper engagement with the community. One notable addition was the gallery walk, where guests were invited to reflect on thought-provoking questions posed around the room. These questions encouraged participants to think critically about how to create a community free from violence and how they, as individuals, could contribute to this change.
Questions included: “What attitudes in our communities need to change to end violence against women and gender-diverse people?” and “What role do men play in ending violence against women?” The responses collected during the gallery walk will help shape ongoing community discussions and actions to address violence at its root.
Moving Forward: A Commitment to Change
As Huronia Transition Homes continues its work to prevent violence against women and support survivors, the organization remains committed to the long-term effort required to eradicate gender-based violence. The Vigil served as both a moment of remembrance and a powerful reminder that our work is far from over. For more information on Huronia Transition Homes and their efforts to combat violence against women and gender non-conforming people, please visit www.huroniatransitionhomes.ca.