Mr. Horne speaks about the Pan-Canadian Paralympic School Week
The following is copied from the November 3, 2009, printed transcripts of the Legislative debate and discussion:
Mr. Horne (Edmonton-Rutherford PC): Thank you very much,
Mr. Speaker. Well, the torch has been lit, and the countdown is on to the
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. With only four
months to go, excitement is growing in Canada and around the globe. I’m
sure many of my colleagues here in the House remember a similar
experience when Calgary hosted the ’88 Winter Games.
The period leading up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and
Paralympic Games presents an unparalleled opportunity, Mr.
Speaker, to engage students in an event that will be receiving worldwide
attention. In my capacity as deputy chair of the Premier’s
Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities I’m very pleased
to stand today and recognize November 2 through 6, 2009, as Pan-
Canadian Paralympic School Week. Paralympic School Week offers
a special opportunity for students across the country to explore the
values that Paralympians bring to their sport and to recognize and
celebrate people with disabilities and their achievements.
All schools in Alberta and across Canada are invited to participate
in this week-long program. Teachers can download a resource guide
which contains suggestions for planning school-wide and classroombased
activities for a range of grades and subject areas. The guide
helps teachers create Paralympic-style events right in their classroom,
discusses the values of the Paralympic Games, and showcases
people with a disability who are making a difference. Anyone
interested in the Paralympic School Week materials or other
Olympic education resources can visit the Department of Education
website to find out more.
Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting time for Canada. I hope everyone,
and particularly all members of this House, finds a way to support
and participate in this extraordinary event.
Thank you. (1691)
