Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Maskwa Aquatic Club on celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Nestled in the waters of Kearney Lake in Halifax West, Maskwa is one of Canada's largest, and most committed and accomplished paddling clubs. It is where many in my community learned to swim, took out their first canoe or kayak, got summer work experience or first hiked through Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes.
After an incredibly well-decorated 2023, Maskwa has done the unthinkable and, for a second year in a row, was victorious in the Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint National Championships.
I send a special shout-out to my constituents, Maskwa athletes Emilee Vaters and Matthew Brown who just represented Canada in the 2024 Olympic Hopes Regatta in Hungary. Congratulations to head coach Christian Hall, commodore Peter Giles, the board, coaches, athletes, parents and supporters.
We are all proud of their accomplishments and here is to the next 50 years.