There were solemn services across Canada Saturday to mark the 14th anniversary of the Montreal massacre, Canada's worst mass shooting.

On Dec. 6, 1989, Marc Lepine shot 27 female engineering students at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, killing 14 of the accomplished women, before fatally shooting himself. In a note he left behind, Lepine said he was committing suicide "not for economic reasons... but for political reasons," saying feminists had ruined his life.

Candlelight vigils, memorial services, and discussions were held at sex assault centres and women's shelters across Canada today.

In Montreal, several dozen people gathered at a city park for a vigil that opened with 14 seconds of silence. After several speeches condemning violence against women, 14 volunteers placed roses on steel and granite memorials to the victims.

Sylvain St-Arneault, whose sister Annie was among those who died 14 years ago, said the memory never fades.

"Feelings this day are always mixed," he said. "It's been 14 years, but the feeling of loss is always there."

Vigil organizers said this year's message was community action to combat violence against women.

"Much has changed since that tragic day in 1989 to help put an end to violence against women and girls in Canada and around the world," Jean Augustine, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women said in a statement.

"Yet, despite efforts from various organizations and governments, there still remains much more to be done as many women and girls still live daily with the threat of violence. All Canadians must continue to remember and take action, not only on this day but every day of the year."

The mass murder prompted tighter gun laws, which included the creation of the controversial national firearms registry.

It also prompted Parliament to create the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in 1991, to coincide with the anniversary of the tragedy.