The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two members of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities on being invested into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. Earlier this year, advisory council member Katarina Roxon and Chair Marie Ryan were among the recipients who received our province’s highest honour from the Lieutenant Governor.

The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour which benefits our province and its residents in an outstanding manner. Both Katarina Roxon and Marie Ryan certainly meet this description.

Marie Ryan is a long-time advocate for social justice and inclusion and has worked at the local, regional, provincial and national levels with organizations of persons with disabilities.

Katarina Roxon has won multiple medals in national and international swimming competitions including a gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil. She is also an ambassador for Para swimming and for Para sport, addressing youth and adults on the importance of sport for healthy living. Katarina is the youngest person to ever be invested into the Order.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, I greatly value the contributions of Ms. Ryan and Ms. Roxon to the Provincial Advisory Council, and I am thrilled that their outstanding contributions to make our province more inclusive have been recognized in this very prestigious manner.

I ask all Honourable members to join me in congratulating Marie Ryan and Katarina Roxon on being invested into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.