To you and yours, peace and good will to all.

And here we are, April.  How did that happen?  (I mentioned the COVID, but I think I got away with it…)

Yes.  The sun has finally returned!  I was a bit afraid when I first saw all this light and blue sky, but Jasper assures me all will be well…

And, for some of you, winter continues, while for us…well, I think spring is here!  Although, I probably shouldn’t way that too loudly just in case (we do still live in Canada, you know…)

Here’s Johnny…well, Elliot anyway…

I don’t usually post these kinds of stories, but I wanted to acknowledge that today is Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

I was living in Ottawa (going to the University of Ottawa) when the tragic events at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal happened – it was very close, and very shocking.  30 years later, please join me in remembering that day, and the lives of all women affected by and lost to violence against them.

From this site – https://cfc-swc.gc.ca/commemoration/vaw-vff/remembrance-commemoration-en.html :

“It has been 30 years since the tragic mass shooting at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal (December 6, 1989) that saw the promising lives of 14 young women cut violently short. This senseless act of targeted violence shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

On December 6, we remember Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.

As we come together to commemorate this national tragedy, we also reflect on the troubling fact that for women, girls and LGBTQ2 individuals across our country violence continues to be a daily reality. Violence will have impacts on their physical, sexual and reproductive health. They may experience anxiety and a reduced ability to participate in social and economic activities, leaving gaps in our workplaces and in our communities as a result of violence.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women is about honouring those who have experienced gender-based violence; it is also a time to take action. December 6 falls within the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and this year’s campaign #OurActionsMatter calls on each of us to share the concrete actions we are taking in our own communities and in our own lives to question, call out, and speak up against acts of gender-based violence.

We all have a role to play in creating a culture of respect and taking meaningful action to ensure that tragedies like l’École Polytechnique de Montréal never happen again.

Add your voice to the conversation between November 25 and December 10 and share the ways you are being part of the solution to end gender-based violence. ”

(Thérèse Boullard photo)