Executive Council
September 16, 2016
Honouring a Hero
Provincial Government Proclaims Terry Fox Day
The Provincial Government has proclaimed the second Sunday after Labour Day as Terry Fox Day, coinciding with the annual run in his honour. This year, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Terry Fox Day will be celebrated Sunday, September 18.
“Terry Fox Day is a day to remember Terry’s passion, dedication and global impact and a day that reminds each and every one of us that even in the face of adversity, great potential can be realized. By proclaiming the second Sunday after Labour Day as Terry Fox Day, we honour both Terry’s memory and his legacy.
- Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, by dipping his leg in the Atlantic Ocean in St. John’s. For the next 143 days, he ran close to a marathon a day through six provinces until, sadly, he was unable to continue.
“‘This is the day it all begins.’ Terry's journal entry on Day 1 of the Marathon of Hope. Now it always will continue with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador kindly recognizing the second Sunday following Labour Day as Terry Fox Day. Terry would be thankful as he knew before he passed away that there would be an annual event in September that offered us all the opportunity to symbolically finish the Marathon of Hope.”
- Fox family
Terry Fox Day will strengthen an already tight bond Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have with Terry. In 2005, the province joined with the City of St. John’s, the Fox family, and the Terry Fox Foundation to unveil a monument dedicated to him on the St. John’s waterfront. In 2012, he was honoured again with a statue designed by artist Luben Boykov.
“Terry Fox is a Canadian hero, and a symbol of hope, courage, and determination for all Canadians. It is for that reason that I’m proud to have brought forward a private member’s motion in the House of Assembly that recognizes and celebrates the significant contributions of Terry Fox following a journey that started in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- John Finn, MHA, Stephenville - Port au Port
To date, more than $650 million has been raised in Terry’s name in Canada and around the world. Newfoundland and Labrador joins Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia in proclaiming a provincial Terry Fox Day.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government announced today that the second Sunday after Labour Day will be known as Terry Fox Day to coincide with the annual run in his honour.
- Newfoundland and Labrador joins Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia in proclaiming a provincial Terry Fox Day.
- A private member’s motion proclaiming the second Sunday after Labour Day as Terry Fox Day was raised in the House of Assembly on June 6, 2016.
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Media contact:
| Michelle Cannizzaro
Media Relations Manager Office of the Premier 709-729-3960, 725-9231 michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca |
2016 09 16 12:05 p.m.