SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Mikaël Kingsbury

Honourable senators, my statement will focus on a person rather than on AI.

Honourable senators, I am very proud to rise today to pay tribute to an athlete who has represented Canada well and who is a living embodiment of discipline, perseverance and excellence. Mikaël Kingsbury is not just a champion. Over the years, he has set a global benchmark in his sport and become a role model for a whole generation of young Canadians.

I would like to share a personal story about Mikaël. Several years ago, through the Fondation Élite Saint-Eustache, a foundation I had the honour of establishing, I awarded a scholarship to a 16-year-old who dreamed of perfecting his freestyle skiing skills. Even at that age, this young man showed extraordinary determination and discipline. Today, he has become a true living legend in Canadian sport.

From the very start, Mikaël established himself as an exceptional athlete. He embodies excellence in every way. His career is inspiring and his performances are truly something to behold. He represented Canada with panache at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games in Italy. As everyone knows, he was the first Canadian to win gold at those Olympic Games. He was part of a contingent of 207 athletes who represented our country with pride and who brought home 21 medals: five gold, seven silver and nine bronze.

Mikaël’s track record speaks for itself: 100 World Cup victories, a gold medal at the PyeongChang Olympics and silver medals in Sochi and Beijing. More recently, he won a silver medal in the individual moguls event two weeks ago, and, last week, he won Canada’s first 2026 Winter Olympics gold medal.

Few athletes in the history of Canadian sport can boast of such dominance in their discipline. Without a doubt, Mikaël Kingsbury belongs to the very select circle of the greatest Canadian athletes of all time.

Statistics and records aside, what is equally impressive are the qualities he possesses as a human being. Everyone who has had the privilege of meeting Mikaël has been struck by his kindness, easygoing personality and humility. Thanks to these qualities and his remarkable athletic prowess, Mikaël is a role model in the world of sports and well beyond.

His parents — Julie and Robert, who happens to be my chiropractor — are so very proud of him, as are the people of his region, his province and his country. In his own way, he is also an inspiration well beyond our borders.

Through his determination and perseverance, Mikaël has made a name for himself in his sport and has become, for hundreds of young athletes, the finest example of challenging one’s limits.

Honorable senators, Canada can be proud. Today, it is our privilege to salute an outstanding journey characterized by hard work, courage and excellence.

Well done, Mikaël.