WHEREAS December 6th is recognized across Canada as a day to remember the 14 young women who lost their lives in an act of gender-based violence at l'École Polytechnique de Montreal.

This day represents an opportunity to acknowledge the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality and remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. It is a day to recognize that the root causes of violence against women are structural and due to an imbalance of power in social, economic and political arenas and that women experience violence in various forms.

Education and equality between women and men is key to ending violence against women and girls. The elimination of violence benefits society as a whole and requires the participation of all stakeholders and sectors. It requires a holistic response that addresses issues such as employment, housing, childcare, education, health, safety and justice.

The City of Toronto continues to take a leadership role in the fight for the elimination of all forms of discrimination and disadvantage and recognizes that everyone has the right to live in conditions of dignity, respect and peace.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor David Miller, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim December 6, 2008 as "National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women" in Toronto, to pay tribute to all women who are or have been victims of violence, and in remembrance of the victims of the Montréal Massacre.