A timeline of the legacy of the Montreal Massacre
MONTREAL — The Montreal massacre, which took place 35 years ago on Friday, sparked a national discussion about violence against women and drove major public policy changes, especially around gun control. Here is a timeline of some of the major events that have occurred since the 1989 mass shooting.
Dec. 6, 1989: For nearly 20 minutes, 25-year-old Marc Lépine stalked the hallways and classrooms of École Polytechnique de Montréal, armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a hunting knife. He murdered 14 women and injured another 13 people before killing himself. He claimed to be fighting feminism.
1991: The Coalition for Gun Control was formed to push for stricter gun laws. It included survivors of the Montreal massacre. Later that year, the federal government passed Bill C-17, which imposed safety training and a mandatory waiting period to get a firearms licence.
1991: The Canadian Parliament declared Dec. 6 to be the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, known informally as White Ribbon Day. Flags on federal buildings are flown at half-mast on this day, and people are encouraged to observe a moment of silence and wear a white ribbon.