Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to a very special Canadian and Edmontonian. Her name is Zoie Gardner. She recently received the Order of Canada in recognition of her volunteer work and for being a foster mother to 100 kids, as she calls them. She has been doing this labour of love for 60 years.
She began her calling at the age of 19, tending a six-day old infant. By the age of 21 she had 10 kids in her care. She is still mothering four disabled adults in their thirties and forties. Two of them were her kids since they were six days old.
At 79, Zoie keeps on mothering. She said “I like kids and I enjoy working with them. I have to be busy. I do not mind growing old, but I sure mind growing useless”.
The love of her kids keeps her going. It is nice to see that kind of generosity and kindness being honoured by the Order of Canada.
Zoie is not useless. She is terrific. Way to go.