December is a time of celebration, reflection, and connection. But it is also a time for solemn remembrance.
On December 6, we pause to honour the 14 young women whose lives were stolen in a brutal act of misogynistic violence at Montréal’s École Polytechnique in 1989.
That tragedy shook our nation, revealing hard truths about the deep and persistent roots of gender-based violence that we are still reckoning with today.
Despite decades of advocacy, policy change, and courageous voices, many women and girls continue to live in fear in their homes, communities and workplaces.
As a father of two daughters, I carry this with me every day. I think about their safety. I think about their friends. I think about the women and girls I meet across Halton and Hamilton.
Every parent wants their children’s futures to be filled with hope and possibility. But for far too many families, those futures are overshadowed by fear, grief, and long-lasting trauma.
The Numbers Speak Volumes
More than 44% of women in Canada report experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In 2024 alone, 187 gender-related homicides were reported across the country. That means a woman was killed every two days.
Here in Ontario, many of the femicides reported between late 2024 and mid 2025 involved intimate partners or family members. These are people who should have been sources of trust and safety.
But those numbers don’t capture the full story. So many survivors never come forward. Fear, stigma, privacy concerns, or a lack of trust in the systems that are supposed to protect them, keep them silent.
And for some, the barriers are even greater. Indigenous and racialized women, women with disabilities, trans and non-binary individuals, and women facing homelessness or unstable housing are all at higher risk. These layers of complexity demand thoughtful, compassionate, and sustained responses.
This is where your United Way plays a vital role.
Across Halton and Hamilton, our network of partner agencies provides essential services that help survivors find safety, stability, and paths forward.
Some of these programs provide fully integrated counselling for low-income families who might not otherwise have access to therapy. These services support children, youth, adults, and entire families navigating trauma, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges.
Others respond in times of acute crisis, helping people who are experiencing homelessness, family violence, sudden unemployment, or unexpected breakdowns in family life. And in rural areas, where resources are often harder to reach, we support specialized services that connect women to the help they need when and where they need it most.
We also believe in prevention. That’s why United Way supports education programs that teach young people about healthy relationships, emotional regulation, consent, and bystander intervention. These programs address hard topics head on like gender-based violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. When we empower youth with the tools to understand and speak up, we lay the foundation for safer communities in the future.
24/7 Connection Through 211
For anyone who may be experiencing non-emergency related distress as a result of gender-based violence, 211 is available 24 hours a day. It is a free, confidential helpline that connects people to local supports. Whether someone needs shelter, counselling, legal information, or crisis services, trained specialists guide callers to the help they need. Visit 211.ca to learn more.
So this December 6, as we reflect on the lives lost to gender-based violence, let’s do more than remember. Let’s act.
Whether it’s speaking up, supporting a survivor, donating to United Way’s support services, or calling for systemic change, every action matters.
United in ACTION, we can turn the page by shaping a community that values every life and refuses to accept violence as the norm.
Brad Park
President and CEO
United Way Halton & Hamilton
