VICTORIA— B.C. New Democrat leader John Horgan and women’s spokesperson Maurine Karagianis released the following statement recognizing the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

“On December 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal simply because they were women. Since that time, Canadians have set aside Dec. 6 as a day to remember and take action against violence against women.

“Unfortunately, we have a long way to go before violence against women is eliminated. Rates of violence against women are troubling high across Canada, and Aboriginal women in particular experience violence at a rate much higher than the general population.

“That’s why it’s critical not only to have a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, but to commit to taking action following that inquiry. We need to do more than remember violence against women, we have to take action to end it.

“Up to half of all women in British Columbia have experienced violence in their lives, and many women in communities across the province are suffering from the effects of violence today. Many don’t have the supports they need to protect themselves and their families. These women deserve better.”