2018 YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the Chair and Director 3 Year at a Glance 4-5 Impact Study 6 Association Québécoise de sports pour paralytiques cérébraux 7 The Steadward Bears Para Athletic Program 9 ParaTough Cup 11 Thank You 12 Financial Snapshot 13 Meet the Team 14

NEXT YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 2 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR AND DIRECTOR

By all accounts, 2018 was a great year for Closer to home and at the community we can inspire a nation. Together, we can the Paralympic Movement in Canada. level, we’re seeing great strides in ensure that there are truly no limits. the knowledge and understanding of At the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in the Paralympic Movement. Though As Christopher Reeve once said, “So many PyeongChang, South Korea, our athletes our Foundation is relatively new – of our dreams at first seem impossible, brought home an impressive 28 medals, established in 2015 – the support from then they seem improbable, and then, when including eight gold – a new record for Canadians across the country has been we summon the will, they soon become Canada at the Paralympics. strong. inevitable.”

Canadians watched with pride as opening The fact remains, however, that for Thank you for your continued support. ceremony flag bearer and Para nordic star many of the estimated one in five Brian McKeever became the country’s Canadians with a disability, sport is still most decorated Winter Paralympian after not accessible and available. Barriers winning his 14th career medal at the still exist where they should not. But Games. He finished the Games with three with your help, we are confident that gold medals and a bronze medal, for a can change so that Canadians with a career total 17 medals — 13 of those gold disability can clearly see themselves at — making him also the most decorated the start line. Paralympic cross-country skier ever. By creating more opportunities for Mark Arendz, another Para nordic skier, Canadians with a disability to be active set a Canadian single Winter Games in sport in their communities and record, winning six medals – five in empowering those with the drive and Jim Westlake Dean Brokop individual pursuits and one team relay talent to compete on the world stage, BOARD CHAIR DIRECTOR The Canadian Paralympic Team enters the stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 medal. Paralympic Winter Games.

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 3 YEAR AT A GLANCE

ImagiNation launch in Opening Ceremony Chubb Insurance JANUARY 25 Party With a Celebrating the launch of MARCH 9 Para-Purpose ImagiNation, a historic $10 The PyeongChang 2018 million initiative supporting Para Paralympic Winter SEPTEMBER 12 sport, we invited guests to join Games kicked off! We In Vancouver, Chubb us for an official launch. Special didn’t know it then, but Insurance’s end-of-summer guests Canadian Tire Jumpstart Canadian athletes were soiree celebrated all things Para athletics’ Marissa Papaconstantinou (left) and Elodie Charities and Pfizer Canada came on their way to history at Tessier of wheelchair basketball are joined by Paralympic Para sport – and raised on board as the first two lead these Games. Foundation of Canada board member Marc-André Fabien money for the Foundation cappaign partners, adding to their The Canadian Paralympic Team enters the stadium (right) and CBC Sports’ Scott Russell. in the process. longstanding commitments to the for the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. Paralympic Movement.

2nd annual Toronto ImagiNation Year One ParaTough Cup celebration on Parliament Hill

FEBRUARY 21 JUNE 6 As a way to thank our supporters and celebrate $2.1 million pledged to date – plus a $1 million match from the Government of Canada, we took to Parliament Hill to recognize how the ImagiNation campaign is making a difference in the future of Para sports.

The Hon. Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, was among The second ParaTough Cup was held at the University of those celebrating the first year of the ImagiNation initiative on Toronto Athletic Centre. Parliament Hill.

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 4 YEAR AT A GLANCE - CONTINUED

Inaugural Vancouver Paralympic spotlight at ParaTough Cup YPO event in Banff NOVEMBER 23 SEPTEMBER 13 Known for his investing and entrepreneurial prowess (not to mention his time spent as a Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den), W. Brett Wilson showed off his passion for Para sport, inviting eight Paralympians to the YPO Conference which brings together young chief executives. Joining Brett was Michelle Salt, Viviane Forest, Brian McKeever, Carrie Anton, Ross Wilson, Alister McQueen, Mark Arendz Current and former Paralympians joined W. Brett Wilson in Banff. and Lauren Woolstencroft. ParaTough Cup was held at the Richmond Olympic Oval, with eight teams competing for the trophy.

nd 2 annual Montreal President’s Reception Fall Campaign ParaTough Cup

AUGUST 29 NOVEMBER 1 NOVEMBER 15 Canadian Paralympic Committee We launched our Fall fundraising Paralympic veterans Cindy Ouellet and President and Paralympic campaign, urging people across Caroline Viau welcomed 14 teams to Foundation of Canada board the country to help Canadians with Montreal’s second ParaTough Cup. member Marc-André Fabien a disability to get in the game. The As emcees, the pair shared many celebrated the summer and Para response was overwhelming as we stories of sport and perseverance with sport by hosting an intimate received hundreds of messages the participants. Thanks to donors, gathering at his home. We’re of support and financial donations supporters and sponsors, more than grateful for the support with nearly from Canadians in each province. $93,000 was raised to support Para $50,000 raised to support the ParaTough Cup was held at McGill University, with 14 corporate teams sport across Canada! Foundation! competing for the prize.

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 5 NEXT GENERATION IMPACT STUDY WITH ATHLETES KEELY SHAW AND SANDRINE HAMEL

While many Canadians turn their attention Throughout the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the “Because of funding, we got to have a every four years to the , the Paralympic Foundation of Canada granted NextGen coach,” Sandrine said. “Because road to the podium begins much earlier for $800,000 to the Canadian Paralympic of that, the coach we had is the one who Canadian Para athletes. Through grants to the Committee to support Next Generation recruited me. It’s because of him that I got to Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), the grants to National Sport Organizations, the Games. He was at the top of the course Paralympic Foundation of Canada is committed strengthening the Paralympic Movement with me at the race.” to supporting the development of a sustainable from communities all the way to the Paralympic sport system so that Canadians Paralympic podium. Keely first became interested in road cycling with a disability are given the opportunity to as a hobby while spending a summer choose sport and to become athletes. These grants helped “NextGen” athletes like in London, Ontario. When she returned In March, Keely Shaw competed in her first ever Sandrine Hamel and Keely Shaw. to her home province of Saskatchewan, international event: the Para Cycling Track World Championships in Rio De Janeiro. After all: winning the race begins with Keely took her cycling to the track and ensuring that every single Canadian can Sandrine was born with a double major began working with Bruce Craven, a local horse, has exceeded expectations. In her imagine themselves at the start line, scoliosis. During corrective surgery, her right Sport Physiotherapist and Strength and international race debut at the 2018 track regardless of ability. leg was paralyzed. Determined to not let her Conditioning Coach. With access to high world championships in Rio de Janeiro, she disability stop her, Sandrine competed in performance equipment and specialist placed fifth in the Individual pursuit and beat sports with her able-bodied peers for years. “The coaching she was soon ready to compete on her previous personal best. A few months first time I learned about Para sport was when I the world stage with a Team Canada jersey on. later, at a World Cup in the Netherlands, she started competing in Para snowboarding three earned a silver medal. years ago,” she said. “I didn’t even know that “It was absolutely unreal,” Keely told a snowboarding was a Para sport.” Weyburn, Sask. newspaper. “It took a long She may be one of the national team’s time to realize it wasn’t just a dream, it was newest members, but she already shows NextGen program funding helped Sandrine’s actually happening.” great potential and is ready to take her Para snowboarding reach a new level – and cycling career as far as it will go. quickly. At just age 21, she made her In her first full year in Cycling Canada’s Para

Sanrdine Hamel competes in Para snowboard at the Paralympic debut at the PyeongChang 2018 Cycling Next Generation program, Keely, “I’ve earned that maple leaf on my jersey,” 2018 Paralympic Games in PyeongChang. Paralympic Winter Games. who acquired her injury after falling off a she said.

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 6 ASSOCIATION QUÉBÉCOISE DE SPORTS POUR PARALYTIQUES CÉRÉBRAUX MONTREAL,

Boccia, a sport of focus and precision, was originally designed ABOUT BOCCIA for people with cerebral palsy but has expanded and now welcomes players with a wide variety of disabilities. Boccia is played indoors on a flat, smooth surface. The players propel leather balls (six per competitor) as close as possible to As Quebec’s governing body for boccia, Through funding received in 2018, the a white target ball (called the “jack”) on a the Association Québécoise de sports AQSPC focused on growing the game, long, narrow field of play. pour paralytiques cérébraux (AQSPC) especially for young children. Teams has a keen interest in ensuring up-and- from the AQSPC traveled to schools, A match has four ends. At the end of the coming boccia players of all ability rehabilitation centres and recreational game players receive one for each ball levels are ready for action. facilities to introduce boccia to new closer than their opponents’ to the jack. players – and their families – through

It’s not always easy to develop talent, camps and demonstrations. Introduced at the New York 1984 says José Malo, Executive Director, Paralympic Games AQSPC. “The camps had two goals,” says Malo.

‘’One: show the kids what they can One of only two Paralympic sports that “We know that for parents who have achieve with this sport and at the same do not have an Olympic counterpart kids with physical disabilities, it’s time educate the person in charge of (the other is goalball) expensive. The bottom line is sport is them, whether it’s a parent or educator

Eric Bussiere competes in the mixed boccia event more expensive,” she says. “We try to so they can learn how to use boccia in against Korea at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. balance that.” their activities to help them develop.”

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 7 When I was young, Nancy Greene was the top The next goal was to promote the sport. and I wanted to be Nancy Greene,” she said, “We want to show the kids that boccia is a real recalling Canada’s champion alpine skier. sport. You can go far with this sport,” Malo adds. “At the ski centre, there was one run called “Our goal is to promote boccia as an open door on ‘Nancy Greene.’ My goal was to be able to do the world.” that run. When you have a disability, it can be harder to imagine a dream like that.” An introductory style camp was held in April for JOSÉ MALO, Executive Director, AQSPC. kids as young as six and their parents at two re- adaptation centres in the Montreal area.

A second camp for juniors was held at the Institut

national du sport du Québec located at Olympic Boccia participants are joined by their families following the 2018 Junior Camp at the Institut National du Sport du Québec in Montreal. Stadium. That’s where the national boccia team trains as well as national team athletes in several Olympic and Paralympic sports such as judo and For Malo, the dream of sport is relatable and very swimming. personal.

The AQSPC said the goal of these camps is “When I was young, Nancy Greene was the top and knowledge sharing and obtaining the widest I wanted to be Nancy Greene,” she said, recalling possible reach. Canada’s champion alpine skier.

“We cannot do all the camps without that money,” “At the ski centre, there was one run called ‘Nancy Malo said. “Quebec is big and we try to never Greene.’ My goal was to be able to do that run. say no. If kids want to try a camp in St. Jean or When you have a disability, it can be harder to Saguenay - if there are kids anywhere who want to imagine a dream like that.” Samuel Lafleur and his mom and his sports assistant Nathalie Laflamme. Because Samuel won the challenges of the junior camp he was invited to join the senior camp in 2018. play - we’re going.”

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 8 THE STEADWARD BEARS PARA ATHLETIC PROGRAM EDMONTON, ALBERTA

A leader in adapted physical activity Field Club, affording Para athletes the and Para sport development, The opportunity to compete at sanctioned ABOUT PARA ATHLETICS Steadward Centre for Personal & events under the club and offering some Physical Achievement works with more shared track and field equipment. Para athletics, also known as track and field, than 1,000 children and adults with is the largest competition at the Paralympic disabilities and trains more than 250 This has been a good foundation for the Games. Events are available for physical students every year. Para athletics program, but it needed a bit disabilities – both wheelchair and standing of a boost in order to grow. – and athletes with visual impairments. It was founded in 1978 by Dr. Robert Contested events are held in track racing, Steadward, the first president of the “Previously there wasn’t a specific Para throwing, jumping and there is also a International Paralympic Committee track and field program in Edmonton,” marathon and pentathlon. and a pioneer in the advancement of says Maegan Ciesielski, Steadward Centre Para sport in Canada and globally. In Para coach. “People had to join a non- Canada has a rich history in Para 2016, The Steadward Centre opened Para track club and see if they could athletics and its athletes have reached a brand new facility, extending space accommodate them. They’d have to bring the podium at every Paralympic Games from 4,000 to 17,000 square feet for their own equipment and train on their since 1968. adapted physical activity and Para own.” sport programs. Wheelchair racer The equipment costs, plus the cost of is the most successful Canadian track The Steadward Bears Para Athletic training facilities and coaching often Paralympian with 21 medals earned program is affiliated with the University seemed out of reach for the athletes with at the Games. The acquisition of new wheelchairs increases the of Alberta’s Green and Gold Track and disabilities. Steadward Centre’s capacity, especially for newcomers to Para athletics.

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 9 “Para sport is more expensive because Ciesielski says the new chairs significantly “We’re really interested in pathways for athletes and coaches, their programs have great there are fewer people doing it,” Ciesielski increases the program’s capacity, especially and coaches,” says Jessica Ferguson, the benefits for athletes of all abilities. says. “You need specialized equipment. You for newcomers to the sport. Steadward Centre’s Athlete Development might need to travel farther for meets. It’s Coordinator. “How can we create settings ‘’Para sport programs like ours are harder to train indoors for certain events. A “Having these chairs helps us meet where they can come in, learn competitive an opportunity to get an appreciation racing chair costs $4,000. You can’t do the our demand, especially that we were skills, engage with the sport and start to for physical activity, learn the value sport without a chair. Imagine if you had to able to purchase chairs that are more explore it even more? How do we create those of commitment and hard work,’’ says spend $4,000 on running shoes?” accommodating,’’ she says. ‘’The ones we pathways for them to grow into some of those Ciesielski. ‘’All those things anyone can had access to were more geared towards a more high-performance streams and support learn from sport but there are just fewer A boost came from the purchase of new specific type of build.’’ that continuum of learning? How can we grow opportunities in Para sport. wheelchairs, paid for in part from grant the program or the sport to the point where money from the Paralympic Foundation Fostering burgeoning talent is of particular coaches and athletes feel there are these ‘’That’s why we’re here.’’ of Canada and the Canadian Paralympic interest for the Steadward Bears Para resources and programs out there for them to Committee. Athletic Program. be engaging with?”

In addition to the new chairs, the program has expanded its camps and is able to Para sport is more expensive because there are fewer incorporate guest coaches. This year, they’ve brought in nutrition coaches, people doing it. You need specialized equipment. You sports psychologists, and strength and might need to travel farther for meets. It’s harder to train conditioning specialists to run sessions. indoors for certain events. A racing chair costs $4,000.

You can’t do the sport without a chair. Imagine if you had “Athletes are getting high-level training that’s to spend $4,000 on running shoes. affordable in a Para sport context,” Ferguson MAEGAN CIESIELSKI, Para coach, says. Steadward Centre. Recent camps have included sessions run by nutrition coaches, While the Steadward Centre continues to sports psychologists, and strength and conditioning specialists. develop high-performance Para athletes

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 10 PARATOUGH CUP

ParaTough Cup has quickly become a can’t-miss event across Canada – and for good reason: Teams of six work together to tackle a series of Para It is a pleasure to continue our participation with the sports like wheelchair basketball, Para ice hockey and sitting volleyball ParaTough Cup again this year. Our employees appreciate the while raising funds to support the Paralympic Foundation of Canada. opportunity to try Para sports and gain a better understanding Since it launched in 2017, the series has raised more than $470,000 for the of what Canadian Paralympians do on the court, on the field Paralympic Foundation of Canada. and on the ice every day. Having had the experience, they recognize the skill, determination and pure Canadian spirit that it takes to strive for that podium – and they truly become supportive champions of Para sport themselves.

KRISTINA SCHAEFER, Petro-Canada director, brand development, Suncor.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2018-19 ParaTough Cup series!

MONTREAL VANCOUVER TORONTO NOVEMBER 15, 2018 NOVEMBER 23, 2018 FEBRUARY 22, 2019 MARCH 6, 2019

1ST UPT CrossFit 1ST RBC 1ST Toronto Blue 1ST Hudson’s Bay Jays Company

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO GOLD SPONSORS PFIZER CANADA AND PETRO-CANADA FOR THEIR SUPPORT. The guided run is one of six Para sport events included at the ParaTough Cup.

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 11 THANK YOU!

LEAD DONORS Thank you! With your gifts, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Pfizer Canada the Paralympic Foundation of Canada is working to ensure that the programs, equipment GOLD MEMBERS and people are in place to Power Corporation of Canada Mike & Linda Shaikh Jim & Deborah Westlake propel more Canadians with a disability all the way from their communities to the Paralympic SILVER MEMBERS podium. Barney River Investments Louise Fernandes Intelliware Development Inc. Meet the Circle of Champions Cambia Development Foundation Rob & Tracy Hain The Adler & Lipkus Foundation Circle of Champions members are CIBC Beth Hamilton-Keen donors who made a donation of at least $4,000 or a multi-year pledge Marc-André Fabien Hillberg & Berk of $1,000 per year for four years. BRONZE MEMBERS

Rick Baker George Edgson Julie Magner Starratt Family Foundation Anne Barnes Michael Edgson Marie-France Moquin Steinbock Development Corp. Roy Boettger Hugues Gibeault Tyler Mosher Gaétan Tardif Lindsay Bradley Monique Giroux Near North Customs Brokers The Graham Family Foundation Brault & Martineau Dale Hooper Darren Noseworthy Michael Urquhart Dean Brokop Patrick Jarvis Karen O’Neill Ellen Waxman Calgary Rotary Challenger Park Rem Langan David Rattray W. Brett Wilson Laurent Després Bill Lister Francois Robert

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 12 FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

The Paralympic Foundation of Canada is greatly supported through financial donations from individuals and corporate $10.32 SOURCES OF partners. This year we received revenues totaling $1,324,465 the amount it cost REVENUE from the following initiatives: the Foundation to 11% raise $100. Unrestricted Unrestricted fundraising includes donations made to our * CRA calculation Fundraising annual campaign and unsolicited donations that help ensure programs, equipment and people are in place to propel more Canadians with a disability all the way from their communi- $800,000 7% ties to the Paralympic podium. Granted to the Canadian Circle of Paralympic Committee to Champions Circle of Champions donors that have pledged their multi-year support NextGen grants support to ensure sport is accessible and available to all. to National Sport Organizations. These Cause Marketing is derived from our Para Flip Flops sales at funds were in turn matched by the 6% the Hudson’s Bay Company. Thanks for being with us every Cause Government of Canada. Marketing step of the way!

Events includes the ParaTough Cup series and fundraisers held in our honour, that engage and entertain participants while shining a spotlight on Para sport in Canada.

17% ImagiNation Campaign In 2017, the Government of Events 59% Canada announced a $1-million annual funding commitment ImagiNation Campaign to support Canada’s “next generation” athletes, with the provision that these funds be matched by private donations. The Paralympic Foundation of Canada proudly took up the challenge and launched our ImagiNation Campaign.

* 2017-18 Audited Financial Statement

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 13 MEET THE TEAM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS STAFF CONTACT US

JIM WESTLAKE DEAN BROKOP 100 - 85 PLYMOUTH STREET BOARD CHAIR DIRECTOR OTTAWA, ON ELLEN WAXMAN K1S 3E2 VICE-CHAIR T. 613-569-4333 X248 MIKE SHAIKH JULIE HAWRISHOK TREASURER FUNDRAISING AND F. 613-569-2777 DANNY BUNTAIN DONOR RELATIONS E. [email protected] MICHAEL EDGSON MARC-ANDRÉ FABIEN WWW.PARALYMPICFOUNDATION.CA BENOÎT HUOT JESSICA KENNEY SPECIAL PROJECTS JULIE MAGNER The Paralympic Foundation of MARIE-BERNARD POULIN Canada’s charitable registration number is 813904190RR0001 DAVID RATTRAY MARK STARRATT GERRY STEFANATOS

YEAR IN REVIEW PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION OF CANADA 14