Canada’s Parliamentarians Celebrate Team Canada 2018 Commonwealth Games Team

Senator Chantal Petitclerc, a decorated Paralympian and Canada’s Chef de Mission at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, welcomed to Parliament Hill representatives of the Canadian Team who recently took part in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. Senator Petitclerc warmly welcomed all athletes with a hug, and outlined why the Commonwealth Games are her favourite Games: equal medal events for men and women, inclusion of para-sport at par with all other sports on the programme and a reconciliation action plan for indigenous peoples. Six athletes were on hand to represent the 282 who competed at the Games - gold medallists Alysha Newman (pole vault) and Melissa Humana-Paredes (beach volleyball), as well as boxers Thomas Blumenfeld (silver, 64kg) and Tammara Thibeault (bronze, 75kg) and para-swimmers Philippe Vachon (bronze, 200m IM SMI) and Abi Tripp (bronze 50m). Alysha Newman spoke on behalf of the athletes, noting her pride in representing Canada at these great Games in Australia, also thanking the Government of Canada for its support of our country’s athletes.

Also in attendance were Canada’s Chef de Mission Claire Carver-Dias and Assistant Chef de Mission Benoit Huot who addressed the crowd and thanked the Government of Canada for its support of Team Canada at the Games. Carver-Dias highlighted Canada’s role as a leader within the Commonwealth Games movement, as the founder of the first-ever Games (Hamilton 1930) and a four-time host. She also noted the opportunity Canada holds in putting forward a bid to host the 100th anniversary 2030 Commonwealth Games. Canada’s Minister of Sport and Persons With A Disability, Kirsty Duncan, was thrilled to meet each athlete individually, and she spoke passionately about the important role all of Canada’s Commonwealth athletes play in our society.  Numerous Senators took time in between votes in the Chamber to come mingle with the guests, including Senator Martha Deacon, Chef de Mission for Canada at the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games.