Mr. Speaker, visiting Ottawa today are two incredible athletes, Ava Walsh and Gracie Ryckman, as well as coaches, staff and volunteers from Special Olympics Canada. For more than 50 years, the Special Olympics have shown us the power of inclusion, creating opportunities for Canadians with disabilities to build on their strengths, foster lifelong friendships and shine on and off the field.
Across the country, and in my riding of Toronto—St. Paul's, where the beating heart of the organization has a home, I have seen how these programs bring communities together. They remind us that sport is not only about competition but also about belonging, confidence and joy.
Gracie and Ava's determination and teamwork inspire us all. They embody what it means to lead with heart. On behalf of the House, I thank them for their dedication, and I thank everyone who makes the Special Olympics possible.