PANAM Canoe and Paracanoe Athletes - Member's Statement

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth South.

MS. CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to make some introductions.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MS. CHENDER « » : On this very busy day in the House, I would like to draw the members' attention to the West Gallery, where it's my privilege to introduce some of the medalists of the Pan American Canoe Championships and Olympic Hopes regatta held on Lake Banook last month.

I would ask each of the athletes to stand as I read their name and then accept the warm welcome of the House: Julia Lilley Osende; Geneva Bond; Jessica MacKay; Connor Fitzpatrick; Marlee MacIntosh, also the gold medalist at the recent World Marathon Games; Craig Johnson; Ava Carew; Ian Gaudet; Alex Canning; Lily Baert, Anna O'Brien; David Waters; Tyler Laidlaw, who I got to give a medal to; Kavita Thomas; and Claire Carruthers, along with coaches and parents and grandparents. Thank you so much for joining us in the House today. (Standing Ovation)

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth North.

MS. SUSAN LEBLANC « » : Mr. Speaker, last month, Dartmouth's Lake Banook played host to the 2018 Pan American Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe Championships. The event boasted over 350 athletes from more than 16 countries who competed in several canoe and kayak races.

I rise today to congratulate the athletes and the organizers on such a successful event. I am so pleased that so many of these fine and dedicated Dartmouth athletes representing several clubs, including Senobe, Maskwa, and Banook, are able to join us in the Legislature today. One does not get to such a level of sport without an immense amount of hard work, dedication, community and family support.

I ask all members of this House to join me once again in congratulating these amazing athletes and to wish them all the best in their future competitions.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Clare-Digby.