Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Canadian women's rugby team on its inspiring performance at the Rugby World Cup. The team is bringing home not only a silver medal but also the distinct honour of uniting Canadians and the House.
Last week, I talked to Danielle, the mom of number 22 Olivia Apps, about the struggles that athletes face in their pursuit to compete at the highest level. The challenging road that female athletes climb is familiar to me. In 2003, I had the privilege of playing for Canada at the world cup of lacrosse, a path that was created by the female athletes who came before me. Now, in 2025, the Canadian women's rugby team has undoubtedly paved the way for future generations of female athletes.
Today, I rise to not only congratulate the team's players but also to thank them. I thank them not only as a woman and a female athlete but also as the mother of a one-year-old daughter who will grow up watching the strength of female athletes on the world stage at sold-out stadiums. My hope is that her generation will see this as the way things have always been, but we will know.
I thank team Canada for inspiring us and propelling the future of women's sports forward.