We Remember and Call for an End to Gender-Based Violence

(Toronto – December 6, 2022) – To mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), released the following statement:

“Today, we commemorate the lives of the 14 women killed in a horrific act of gender-based violence on December 6, 1989, at L’École Polytechnique in Montreal. Thirty-three years later, we remember the victims, join their families in mourning and call for action to end gender-based violence in Canada and across the globe.

“As we reflect on this violent, misogynistic attack, it is important to recognize that gender-based violence increased throughout the pandemic and continues to disproportionately impact women and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who are Indigenous, racialized, and/or have a disability.

“This is not an acceptable reality. Gender-based violence has no place in Canada. We all have a role to play in creating a culture of respect and defending the rights of women and gender-diverse people. Organizations can do their part by creating safe, healthy, and inclusive workplaces, advancing economic opportunities for women and gender-diverse people, and championing an inclusive economy to spur economic growth.

“As a business association, we have taken initial steps by providing training to support inclusive and culturally safe workplaces, championing women’s economic success through our policy development and increasing the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplaces through the 50-30 challenge. But more must be done, including applying an intersectional lens, and it is incumbent on every one of us to take action to protect the rights and wellbeing of women and gender-diverse people.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Manager, Public Affairs
andreacarmona@occ.ca| Mobile: (647) 234-0255

Backgrounder

Resources:

• The Government of Canada has launched a campaign, It’s Not Just, to create awareness of gender-based violence and encourage all Canadians to take action by addressing beliefs and behaviours that perpetuate violence. Join the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (from November 25 to December 10). Use the hashtag #16Days.
• 16 Ways to End Gender-Based Violence
• Crisis Lines For Those Affected By Gender-Based Violence
• The Government of Ontario has a list of programs to help low-income women and women experiencing violence and abuse gain new skills, careers and opportunities.