Paralympians Recognized in Canada Day Honours

Wheelchair Basketball great Chantal Benoit was appointed to the Order of Canada for her contributions to the sport of wheelchair basketball and her advocacy of inclusive sport. Benoit, a native of Beloeil, Que., was among those named as an officer to the Order of Canada by the Governor General on June 29.

The Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation by individuals from all sectors of Canadian society.

Among her many achievements, Benoit is a seven-time Paralympian and a recipient of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Gold Medal Triad Award for outstanding contributions to the growth of the sport at the national and international levels.

[image: Chantal Benoit – Athens]

Paralympic Swimmer and a member of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’ Board of Directors, Benoit Huot was invested as a Knight (Chevalier) to the National Order of Quebec on June 22.  Huot, one of Canada’s most decorated Paralympic athletes with 20 medals in five Paralympic Games, is recognised for his contribution to the advancement of disabled sports by working for accessibility, inclusion and diversity, as well as sporting excellence. 

Huot has been an active member of the Canadian national swim team since 1998, winning 32 medals in six World Championships, lowering more than 60 world records in his category.