Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia: Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize Easter Seals’ one-hundredth year of operations in this country.

Easter Seals is Canada’s largest local provider of programs and services for persons with disabilities. Since 1922, the organization and its 10 provincial members have been working to create a more inclusive and accessible society that honours the contributions of Canadians of all abilities.

For 100 years now, Easter Seals organizations have been serving a broad range of individuals — both children and adults — with varying physical, intellectual, sensory and learning disabilities to help to ensure that every person has access to the equipment, programs, services and support that they need to make the most of their abilities and live their lives to the fullest.

Easter Seals provides a wide range of services and supports, including access to assistive and adaptive technologies, specialized education and job training programs and services, sport, recreation and leisure programs, rehabilitative and occupational therapy, residential and respite programs, day and overnight camps.

For 100 years, Easter Seals has represented the best values of our country by working to build a more inclusive and more welcoming Canada — a Canada where every person can thrive, contribute and live the life they choose with independence and dignity.

I had the pleasure of meeting with the Easter Seals delegation this morning in my office, and I’d like to welcome them and thank them for coming to Ottawa to share in this momentous occasion. In particular, I welcome our youth ambassadors.

I have no doubt that for the next 100 years, Easter Seals will continue to honour and support the needs and aspirations of Canadians living with disabilities and their families by providing vital services and promoting access, inclusion, opportunity and community.

Please join me in thanking Easter Seals for their century of service. With all that has already been accomplished, I am eager to see what the next century of achievement will bring.

The Easter Seals’ one-hundredth anniversary celebrations will continue tonight at the Métropolitan Brasserie. I hope to see you there. Thank you, meegwetch.