Mr. Speaker, Canada and Quebec have lost a visionary and a pioneer. The late René Dallaire was a man of courage, energy and optimism.
An elite skier at 19, he became a quadriplegic after a brutal fall. With remarkable perseverance, he went on to earn his MBA, worked for 20 years as a chief financial officer and became the first Quebecker to use a head-controlled wheelchair. He was also active in several organizations that advocate for people with physical disabilities. In 1994, he founded the Association québécoise de voile adaptée and created the Coupe du Québec regatta, an event for sailors with physical disabilities.
René Dallaire inspired us to push our limits, whatever they may be. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all those who had the great privilege of knowing him.