Durham College holds Oshawa memorial ahead of Dec. 6 National Day of Remembrance

Durham College held a memorial at its Oshawa campus on Thursday, Dec. 4 to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, featuring readings, a moment of silence and a musical performance. Campus flags will be lowered to half-mast on Saturday, Dec. 6.

This year marks the 36th anniversary of the Dec. 6, 1989 attack at École Polytechnique de Montréal, where 14 women were killed and 13 others were injured. The memorial honored those victims and others affected by gender-based violence.

Students and employees gathered in the Rotary Global Classroom at the Oshawa campus for the event. The names of the victims were read aloud, followed by a moment of silence.

“This tragedy shook post-secondary institutions across the country — including communities like ours — and continues to resonate deeply more than three decades later,” said Durham College President Dr. Elaine Popp. “As we reflect on the lives lost that day, we renew our commitment to confronting the hatred that fueled this violence and the gender-based discrimination that persists today.”

The program included a musical performance by Aqua Nibii Waawasskone and dancing by Rachel Taunton, Indigenous Communities Outreach Coordinator with Durham College’s First Peoples Indigenous Centre.

“We are called to create communities where every person can pursue their dreams without fear and live free from intimidation or harm,” said Marisa Mei, Sexual Violence Education and Prevention Coordinator. “Education, awareness, and strong allyship are essential in the fight to end femicide and gender-based violence. By challenging harmful assumptions, supporting survivors with compassion, and advocating for systems and policies that uphold safety and accountability, each of us has the power and the responsibility to make a difference.”