Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Special Olympics is the national sports organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities for athletes who are mentally challenged.
Today the Canadian Special Olympics serves 20,000 athletes through the efforts of 8,000 volunteers. There are offices in every province and the two territories where year-round training occurs.
The Canadian Special Olympics is endorsed by the Canadian Olympic Association. The national winter games will be held from January 25 to January 30 in the year 2000. Canada's capital region's bid for these games will be presented to the Canada Special Olympics on April 27, 1998. This bid, if successful, will be integrated into the Ottawa 2000 millennium celebrations.
On behalf of all citizens of the great riding of Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke I endorse this bid.
Congratulations to my friend and colleague the member for Ottawa—Vanier who has been superlative—