December 6, 2019 Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns Remembers
Members of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) is joining other Canadians in marking the 30th anniversary of the killing of 14 women and the injuring of 14 more in the shooting at École Polytechnique in Montreal. As evidenced by the stories being told over the past several days, this is a tragedy that affected individuals and a community. It haunts victims and families, first responders and journalists, advocates and citizens.
Gender-based violence and misogyny continue to plague our society, and shootings are the most common method used in the killing of women and girls. In fact, a gun in the home increases the risk of femicide. Canadians who may be at risk, and those wishing to learn more about these issues, are encouraged to speak with their physician.
We call on our political leaders to honour the memory of the victims of this tragedy by taking meaningful action to address gender-based violence in all its forms, from confronting hate to reducing poverty. The federal government must also take action on gun control, including by banning assault weapons and handguns and introducing “red flag” laws to protect vulnerable women and children. The time to act is now. Consider, the gun used in the École Polytechnique shooting is still for sale.
Today, we stand in solidarity with women and girls across the country, and with the courageous advocates of PolyRemembers/ PolySeSouvient. Their efforts over decades to change minds and laws to prevent similar tragedies is inspirational. We are grateful for their service. We remember.
-30- For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Christopher Holcroft Empower Consulting, for Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns 416-996-0767/ christopherholcroft@hotmail.ca
Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) is a grassroots organization concerned about the increasing public health impact of firearms. We represent physicians working in collaboration with nurses, paramedics, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, researchers and other front-line health care professionals. We have all witnessed first-hand the emotional and physical trauma and devastation caused by guns. CDPG calls for a comprehensive public policy response to this crisis in our communities, including preventative tools to reduce gun use and their consequences on youth violence, domestic abuse, and suicide. Specifically, we call for the following short-term actions:
- A ban on handguns and assault weapons - Passage of Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms
Through education and advocacy, CDPG looks forward to working with all Canadians to enact change. We invite you to join us.
Executive Team
Dr. Najma Ahmed – Trauma Surgery – Toronto Dr. Suzanne Beno - Pediatric and Emergency Medicine - Toronto Dr, Philip Berger – Family and Community Medicine – Toronto Dr. Andrew Beckett – Trauma Surgery – Montreal Dr. James Byrne - Trauma Surgery Fellow - Toronto Dr. Kevin Chan - Pediatric Medicine - Toronto Dr. Anna Dare - Global Surgery Fellow - Toronto Dr. Alan Drummond – Emergency Medicine – Perth, Ontario Dr. Chris Evans - Emergency Medicine - Kingston Dr. David Gomez – Trauma Surgery – Toronto Dr. Josh Ng-Kamstra - General Surgery - Calgary Dr. David Koff - Radiology - Hamilton Dr. John Kortbeek – Trauma Surgery – Calgary Dr. Jacinthe Lampron – Trauma Surgery – Ottawa Dr. Brett Mador - Trauma Surgery - Edmonton Dr. Julie Maggi – Psychiatry – Toronto Dr. Chethan Sathya - Pediatric Surgeon - New York Dr. Derryck Smith - Psychiatry - Vancouver Dr. Murray Trusler - Indigenous Health - Retired Dr. Kirsten Weerdenburg - Pediatric Emergency Medicine - Halifax Dr. Lynn Wilson – Family and Community Medicine – Toronto