Senator Tkachuk Congratulates Steven Fletcher on Induction into Terry Fox Hall of Fame

November 23, 2006

Hon. David Tkachuk: Honourable senators, on November 13, Conservative Member of Parliament Steven Fletcher was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame. I can think of no one more deserving of such an honour. Steven was inducted in the category of "achiever," but only because there is no such category as "high achiever." If there were, that is where he would fit.

Mr. Fletcher has accomplished more than most people. He earned a Masters of Business Administration; was twice elected President of the University of Manitoba Student Union; served as executive director of the university's board of directors; founded Wilderness Access Manitoba; was elected to Parliament in 2004, where he served as health critic; and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health in 2006. These are serious and remarkable achievements for any young person, but Steven, who only turned 34 this year, accomplished all of this while confined to a wheelchair. He has been a quadriplegic since the age of 23.

Faced with similar circumstances, many of us would have just given up; others would have settled for achieving a lot less. All of us would have understood either of these reactions, but Steven Fletcher has demonstrated that he is truly a kindred spirit of that great Canadian, Terry Fox.

Like Terry, he has more than endured and he has more than persevered in the face of adversity. He has pushed himself beyond what anyone would have thought either possible or, perhaps, even wise. He has brooked no obstacles to what he hoped to achieve. As a result, he has carved an extraordinary life out of extraordinarily challenging circumstances.

Steven also keeps a schedule that is, to say the least, daunting. I know. I ride with him on an airplane from Winnipeg to Ottawa on Sunday nights. Last Sunday, he was telling me about his schedule. I said, "What kind of week did you have? Did you get a little rest?" He went through his schedule, starting with Monday in Toronto to receive the award, then the Grey Cup activities and a youth caucus. By the time he was finished, I was tired. He did all this in a wheelchair.

When I look at Steven, I think of the tremendous amount of energy it must take not just to get into that wheelchair but then to get into an airplane to come to Ottawa every week to participate with us here. We live in a great country that allows people who are quadriplegic to participate and to feel at home in the House of Commons.

Steven has a tremendous sense of humour. I am sure he would be highly embarrassed if he were to hear what I have said today. However, I am glad I have said it.

I hope all honourable senators will join me in congratulating Steven Fletcher, Member of Parliament, on his induction into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!