Thirty years after 14 women were killed in an anti-feminist massacre at École Polytechnique in Montreal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared more work needs to be done to combat gender-based violence and win the struggle for equality.

A gunman walked into the building on the snowy evening of Dec. 6, 1989 and opened fire in the school. He murdered 14 women and injured 13 others in a rampage before killing himself.

“We need to do something to make sure it never happens again,” Trudeau said from the House of Commons on Friday.

The attack at Polytechnique remains the deadliest shooting in Canada’s history. Thirty years later, it continues to spark questions about violence against women and gun control.

“The reality is in 30 years, things haven’t changed enough,” said Trudeau. “Women, girls and people of diverse gender identities still face unacceptable and preventable violence — violence that destroys lives, families and communities.”

As part of the grim anniversary, staff and students gathered at the school on Friday morning, where they placed a wreath of white roses at the commemorative plaque honouring the victims.

Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte are the names inscribed on the charcoal-coloured plaque.

In their memory, a book penned by former Le Devoir journalist Josée Boileau was released on Friday about the events and stories of the victims.

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