Honourable senators, I received notice of a statement vacancy just a few moments ago, so this might be a shorter statement than you are accustomed to from me, and I am so sorry to disappoint you in that regard. You are going to be okay, but sometimes opportunities come to us in our busy schedules, and we just need to make room for them. I would like to make all of you aware of an opportunity to which each of you will be invited early next week.

Right across the bridge, at the Canadian Museum of History, for the first time ever, a very special event is taking place on October 19 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. It is the sixty‑seventh annual Order of Sport Awards. It is a spectacular facility, a place where all of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame archives will now be digitally housed. This is Canada’s premier collection of sport. It will spotlight the values, the positive impacts and the role that sport plays throughout our country. Many have highlighted the importance of sport and activity in the Senate.

On October 19, in person, we can celebrate this Class of 2023, which will consist of five athletes, two builders of sport and some exceptional Canadians who represent women, Indigenous athletes, para-athletes and Olympians. These recipients are Danielle Peers, athlete in wheelchair basketball; Georges St‑Pierre for mixed martial arts; Hiroshi Nakamura, a very colourful builder of judo; Oren Lyons, a builder in lacrosse; Phyllis Bomberry for softball; Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir — you may have heard of them once or twice — and the “Ferbey Four,” team athletes in curling.

Finally, colleagues, in addition to attending this new museum location that will house these digital archives, to being witness to incredible and diverse inductees, this Order of Sport Awards presentation will be co-hosted by none other than the Honourable Chantal Petitclerc, alongside Scott Russell from CBC Sports.

Senators, watch for the invite, and please join us to celebrate the achievements and the impact of outstanding Canadians. I encourage you all to find time in your schedules to join us at this great event. Thank you.