This week, I had the honour of attending the eleventh edition of the Ordre de la rose blanche ceremony at Polytechnique Montréal. This year, the ceremony took on profound meaning as scholarships were awarded to fourteen Canadian women pursuing graduate studies in engineering, a powerful gesture that looks to the future while remembering the young women who tragically lost their lives on December 6, 1989.
Every Montrealer can recall where they were on that day in 1989, when misogyny and violence claimed the lives of 14 young women simply because they were pursuing their dreams. As we approach the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, it is essential to honour their memory and acknowledge that too many women, girls, and gender-diverse people continue to face violence today.
I am proud that our government has introduced Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, which strengthens protections for survivors by making bail harder to obtain for those accused of certain sexual offences. Among its key reforms, the Bill introduces a new reverse onus for some sexual assaults and removes the possibility of house arrest for serious sexual offences. In the coming months, the Minister of Justice will put forward additional criminal justice reforms to further address gender-based violence and intimate partner violence.
At the same time, through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, we are working with provinces, territories, and community organizations to support survivors and address the root causes of violence. As well, through Bill C-21, we are strengthening gun control measures to better protect Canadians from firearms. These efforts reflect our moral obligation to act swiftly and decisively.
Today, and every day, let us recommit ourselves to ending gender-based violence once and for all. By remembering the past, supporting survivors, and empowering the next generation, we ensure that the legacy of the 14 young women from Polytechnique Montréal continues to inspire meaningful change across our country.