Mr. Speaker, words can hurt. It is that simple but powerful message behind a campaign to end the use of the “r-word”.
People know the one: a clinical label for people with developmental disabilities, which has become an insult. It is offensive, it is derogatory, and it is demeaning. Worst of all, it reinforces a stereotype that people who are intellectually challenged have less value.
March 1 is Spread the Word to End the Word day.
In my riding, the South Temiscaming Committee has joined the global movement led by the Special Olympics. I am proud to say that this is a one-of-a-kind committee, because its campaign is bilingual.
On March l, please go to the official website r-word.org and make a pledge. Let us eliminate the “r-word” from our vocabulary and replace it with a new word, “respect”.