“You’ve turned your back on women in this province”

On December 27, 2005, the community was left reeling from the shocking murder of 36-year-old Paula Gallant. Just one week after celebrating her daughter Anna’s first birthday, Paula’s life was tragically cut short when she was violently strangled by her husband in a dispute over a $700 gambling debt. Her lifeless body was then callously placed in the trunk of her car and driven to the parking lot of the elementary school where she taught Grade 3.

The discovery of Paula’s body by her family, who had hoped she was simply working late at the school, sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community. As the RCMP arrived at the scene, suspicions naturally turned towards Paula’s husband, who seemed unnervingly calm and unsurprised by the grim discovery. However, due to protocol at the time, the RCMP focused their investigation on everyone else in Paula’s immediate circle, including her own young children and 13-year-old nephew.

For four and a half long years, Paula’s family waited in agony as the investigation dragged on, all the while knowing deep down that her husband was the one responsible for her brutal murder. Finally, after 1,642 days, he was arrested and eventually admitted to the heinous crime. The truth of what happened to Paula slowly came to light, revealing a chilling premeditation on the part of her husband and a complete disregard for her life.

In her new book, For the Love of My Sister, Paula’s oldest sister Lynn recounts the harrowing weeks and months leading up to and following her sister’s murder in vivid detail. She reflects on the signs of trouble that were present in Paula’s marriage, despite there being no known history of abuse. Lynn’s poignant retelling of the events serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind closed doors, even in seemingly normal relationships.

Lynn’s tireless advocacy for victims of gender-based violence and her efforts to keep Paula’s memory alive serve as a beacon of hope in the fight for justice and change. She has worked tirelessly to support programs for murder victims’ families and has been instrumental in developing rewards programs for unsolved major crimes in Nova Scotia.

As Nova Scotia continues to grapple with the epidemic of gender-based violence, Lynn’s message is clear: the time for action is now. With statistics showing that the province is the least safe place in Canada for women, urgent steps must be taken to address the root causes of violence and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals.

Tonight, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, gender-based violence organizations and survivors will gather for a “not so silent” vigil in downtown Halifax to honor the memory of victims like Paula and call for an end to the cycle of violence. Lynn will be among the speakers, using her voice to demand change and hold policymakers accountable for their inaction.

As we reflect on Paula’s tragic story and the countless other lives lost to gender-based violence, let us not forget that each victim is more than just a statistic—they are daughters, sisters, mothers, and friends whose lives were cut short by senseless acts of violence. It is up to all of us to stand together, speak out against injustice, and work towards a future where such tragedies are no longer a reality.