Hon. Chantal Petitclerc: Honourable senators, I’m very pleased to rise to speak to you today about Défi sportif AlterGo, an incredible event that begins next week.

This important event, which will take place from April 21 to 30 in the greater Montreal area, is celebrating its fortieth anniversary. I’ve had the pleasure of being the event spokesperson for over 20 years now and before that I participated as an athlete.

The world-class Défi sportif AlterGo, which began in 1984, is the only event that brings together elite and up-and-coming athletes with all types of functional limitations. This event fosters the transfer of knowledge, the consolidation of skills and the enhancement of expertise in hosting adaptive sporting events. Every year, Défi sportif AlterGo raises awareness of the importance of including people with disabilities.

Today, honourable senators, I’d like to first pay tribute to the founder of Défi sportif AlterGo, Monique Lefebvre, who created an event 40 years ago to showcase the talent of athletes with all types of limitations. Inclusion and accessibility have always been priorities for her.

I would also like to recognize our guests Maxime Gagnon, president and CEO, Émilie Bouchard Labonté, director of communications, and Saoud Messaoudi, who will participate in Défi sportif AlterGo next week and who is here as an athlete ambassador. Thank you for all of your hard work and, most importantly, for your passion.

I wish good luck to the 6,000 athletes from 28 countries who will be competing next week. Let’s not forget the participants who will represent Canada at the Montreal 2023 World Boccia Cup and who are trying to earn a spot in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, I want to say a big thank you to the 1,000 dedicated volunteers who make this unique and exceptional sporting event possible. Without them, Défi sportif AlterGo wouldn’t exist and certainly wouldn’t be the huge success that it is today. Finally, to the entire Défi sportif team, to the inspiring leaders, and I’d even say to my beautiful Défi sportif family, thank you, merci, meegwetch.