Remembering Montreal massacre sees return of some in-person reflection in Toronto amid pandemic
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women saw a return to some in-person reflection in Toronto this year amid the pandemic.
Eighteen women laid roses in a ceremony at Women’s College Hospital. Forteen were for each woman killed in the Montreal Massacre at École Polytechnique, Dec. 6 1989.
The other four roses represent all victims of violence, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Black women and girls, and the Trans, non-binary and sexual diverse community.
The names of each woman killed in the massacre was said aloud. Each rose was placed in a vase of water, followed by a minute of silence.
Only a few other people attended the ceremony, including staff from the hospital and members of the media. Other people watched the rest of the ceremony online, through the hospital’s website.
“Too often I think Indigenous lives get treated as learning lessons,” said Riley Yesno. The event’s keynote speaker, a queer Anishinaabe writer and researcher Eabametoong First Nation who grew up in Thunder Bay, Ont., appeared in a recorded video message.
Yesno spoke about Barbara Kentner, a 34-year old woman from Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
Kentner was hit in the abdomen after man who heaved a trailer hitch from a moving vehicle at her in Jan. 2017 and died six months later. The man was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter.
Yesno also talked about the fact that despite the incredible challenges and work ahead, she believes it is love that continues to bring people together to remember.
“There is profound love,” she said.
“We have to redouble our efforts,” said Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett, who spoke in person at the event and talked about the need for a commitment to end the tragedy of gender based violence.
Toronto Mayor John Tory also appeared via a pre-recorded video message. He said gender based violence has been more prevalent during the pandemic.
“We must support women, girls and other vulnerable groups,” said Tory.
The Ontario Association of Interval and Transitional housing found at least 58 women were killed between Nov. 26, 2020 and Nov. 25, 2021 in Ontario. Advocates say the pandemic has increased the number of deaths and that it’s typically around 30-40 deaths per year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
Canucks hold off Oilers for 4-3 win in Game 3
Brock Boeser had two goals and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks hung on for a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.