Paralympic legends Patrick Anderson and Colette Bourgonje to be inducted into Canada Games Hall of Honour

OTTAWA — Paralympic legends Patrick Anderson and Colette Bourgonje will be inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour on March 26, recognizing careers that helped shape Parasport in Canada both on and off the field of play.

Anderson, one of the most accomplished wheelchair basketball players in the world, competed for Team Ontario at the 1995 Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The Games marked the beginning of a career that would span six Paralympic Games and produce three Paralympic gold medals.

He was nicknamed the ‘’Michael Jordan of wheelchair basketball’’ at the height of his career.

“This honour brings me back to the start of my competitive career, and reminds me of the excitement in the air during that era of wheelchair basketball in Canada,’’ recalled Anderson, from Fergus, Ont. ‘’The Canada Games are such a fun and important launching pad for Olympic and Paralympic dreamers. It certainly helped spark my dream.

‘’It helped that Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls were together under one roof – it was the only time in my career where I got to experience that.”

Bourgonje, a 10-time Paralympian from Saskatoon, will be inducted as a builder for her impact following an elite competitive career in Para nordic skiing and wheelchair racing. She later served as a coach and manager with Team Saskatchewan at the 2015, 2017 and 2019 Canada Games.

Beyond her medals, Bourgonje is credited with advancing adaptive sport in Canada through innovation in equipment and training at a time when Parasport coaching and awareness were limited. She said the honour reflects her transition from athlete to mentor, helping develop the next generation of Paralympians.

‍“After being an athlete for many years, this induction recognizes my transition to being a builder and contributing to another level of sport. A favourite memory from the Games is being in Prince George with a full Para team and having success with the athlete who I found in Canadian Tire, named Brittany Hudak (heading to her fourth Paralympic  Games in March).”

The induction ceremony will be held in Quebec City and coincide with a fundraising gala supporting the 2027 Canada Winter Games and local athletes.

The two Paralympians are among six inductees announced for 2026.The others are speed skater Gaétan Boucher, cyclist Catharine Pendrel and hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser in the athletes category while Carol Anne Chénard in being recognized as a Distinguished Alumni.

The Canada Games Hall of Honour recognizes athletes, builders and distinguished alumni whose careers were shaped by their participation in the Canada Games and who have made lasting contributions to Canadian sport.