Mr. Speaker, last Sunday I was joined by the Surrey police and fire departments to deliver a speech and to cheer on everyone at the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC. The Polar Plunge is about the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC, which has raised more than $2 million to support athletes.
In August, Alberta hosts the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. As a father of a child with a disability, I have seen first-hand how sport builds confidence, friendships and joy. It opens doors for athletes, families and entire communities. Through Special Olympics, people are defined not by their challenges but by their courage, their determination and their incredible abilities.
People who took the plunge this year should remember that they did not just brave the cold but also helped to create a more inclusive world where every athlete is celebrated.