Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
Montreal

Polytechnique massacre 26th anniversary memorialized in Montreal

Montreal mourns the 14 women who died on Dec. 6, 1989, during the École Polytechnique shooting.

City remembers 14 lives lost during École Polytechnique shooting on Dec. 6, 1989

CBC News ·
Beams of light were projected onto Montreal's night sky during a ceremony on Mount Royal to mark last year's anniversary of the Polytechnique massacre. A similar ceremony took place this year on Sunday night. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

Ceremonies took place today to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal.

On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women were killed at the engineering school by a gunman professing to hate feminists and women's place in society. Another 14 people were injured before the gunman took his own life.

Two rallies in Montreal honoured the memory of the 14 women killed.

The first rally began at 11:45 a.m. ET at Place-du-6-décembre, a memorial park close to École Polytechnique.

People gathered to remember the victims and highlight ongoing issues of gender inequality and violence against women. 
A commemoration service Sunday afternoon included fourteen white roses bearing the names of each of the woman who were killed. (Jaela Bernstien/CBC)

A second gathering started at 5 p.m. on Montreal's Mount Royal. Fourteen beams of light were projected onto the night sky over the city, representing each of the victims. Attendants observed a minute of silence and the names of the victims were read.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended, and had only a few words to say to the cameras.

"It's a moment to remember and to make promises, and that's what I'm doing," Trudeau said in French.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waits for Sunday night's memorial ceremony to begin on Mount Royal. (CBC)

"What promises, Mr. Trudeau?" inquired a young girl.

"The promise to never forget and to do everything possible to ensure that never again."

Montreal's Olympic Stadium is one of many monuments countrywide that were being illuminated in red to honour the victims.

With files from The Canadian Press

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|

Related Stories

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Become a CBC Member

Join the conversation  Create account

Already have an account?

now