Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #07-006
January 23, 2007
Yukon Government Supports Canada's Man In Motion
WHITEHORSE - Premier Dennis Fentie and Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers were joined by Canada's Man in Motion Rick Hansen today to announce the government's contribution of $100,000 to the Rick Hansen Foundation to help create more accessible and inclusive communities for people with spinal cord injury in the Yukon.
"In celebration of Rick Hansen's 20th Anniversary of the Man In Motion World Tour, I am very pleased to announce this new partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation," Fentie said. "The government's contribution will help improve the quality of life for Yukoners with spinal cord injuries and other mobility disabilities. This is money for Yukon people that will be spent in the Yukon."
The contribution is $20,000 per year for the next five years and will flow to a collaborative 'Solutions Team'. This team will draw together volunteer experts from the spinal cord injury and other related disability communities to identify, to create and to deliver solutions that will respond to the priority needs of individuals with spinal cord injuries and other related disabilities. The 'Solutions Team' will be led by the government's Workplace Diversity Employment Office.
"I want to thank Premier Fentie and Minister Cathers for their leadership and that of our community partners in this initiative. It is an honour to be here in Whitehorse during the 20th Anniversary of the Tour announcing this partnership. This time 20 years ago I was in Winnipeg," Hansen, president and chief executive officer of the Rick Hansen Foundation, said. "We look forward to working together with the Yukon government, the Workplace Diversity Employment office and the community to help make a difference in the lives of the people of Yukon, for the future."
The money been divided in two funds, with amounts being dispersed from each fund over the next five years. One fund is for individuals with spinal cord injuries, or other related disabilities or mobility impairments, to assist with their quality of life, while the second fund will be given as community grants.
"We are working very hard to provide the best services we can to all our citizens and to ensure a better quality of life for people with disabilities," Cathers said. "This partnership will help us address the identified priority needs of the Yukon community."
The Rick Hansen Foundation works to create more accessible and inclusive communities for people with a spinal cord injury and supports the search for a cure. The Foundation achieves its goals by connecting the people and resources that make innovation possible.
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Contact:
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications (867) 633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca |
Pat Living, Director Communications, HSS (867) 667-3673 patricia.living@gov.yk.ca |
Sarah Sugiyama Senior Manager, Communications (778) 837-6126 (cell) sarahs@rickhansen.com |