Mr. Speaker, Sandra Schmirler, a daughter, a wife, a mother and a curling hero, succumbed to cancer today at age 36 in Regina. She had three world championships, three Scott Tournament of Hearts championships and the famous Olympic gold medal that she and her team won in Nagano.
I was in New Brunswick during the 1998 Winter Olympics. I set my alarm for 3.30 in the morning so I could get up and watch her great team play. I loved every minute watching those games.
Sandra is the most decorated women's curler in Canadian history. Her teams are legendary. We grieve with all of her teammates who have lost their skip and a dear friend today.
The world was her stage but Sandra's life is her legacy. On the ice, on the hospital bed, on the airwaves, she showed us how to have drive, determination and above all, love and laughter.
To her husband Shannon, her children Sara and Jenna, and to her entire family, we say thank you for sharing this marvellous woman with us. We grieve and we pray with you. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.