ParaTough Cup Sparks Real-World Impact

Marielle Bégin, a project associate at Edison Engineers Inc., shared her inspiring experience participating in the ParaTough Cup, an event organized by the Paralympic Foundation of Canada (PFC) to raise awareness and funds for Paralympic athletes. Begin’s story highlights the profound impact of this event on her team and the broader community.

Marielle first heard about the ParaTough Cup through her cousin Amanda, who works for Canadian Paralympic Committee partner Toyota Canada. Amanda’s enthusiasm for the event was contagious, sparking a competitive spirit in Marielle.

“I thought it was just going to be a fun family rivalry,” Marielle said, reflecting on how it all began. “But then I realized it was a great opportunity to bring our team at Edison Engineers Inc. together for a greater cause.”

In the course of preparing for the ParaTough Cup Toronto event, presented by Canadian Tire, Marielle and her team learned about the significant differences between the Olympic and Paralympic movements, particularly in terms of funding and support.

“It was really eye-opening to discover the disparities in funding and the challenges Paralympians face,” she explained. “We were shocked to learn how at that time, Paralympic athletes were not rewarded for their Games performance compared to their Olympic counterparts. I was glad to learn at the Toronto event that Paralympians will now be compensated.”

In January 2024, the PFC introduced the “Paralympic Performance Recognition” program that will reward Paralympians for winning medals at the Paralympic Games, funded in part because of team’s, like Edison Engineers Inc., participation in ParaTough Cup events across the nation.

Edison Engineers Inc. took their involvement a step further by not only contributing individually raised funds and a corporate donation, but by also engaging their clients industry contacts through the IGNITE Campaign. Marielle and her team spent a day writing personalized emails to their contractors, explaining the importance of the PFC’s Ignite campaign and seeking donations to support the cause.

“We wanted to make sure our clients the contractors we work with understood the significance of what we were doing. Here at Edison, we always want to educate, engage, and empower our clients when making decisions, and that’s also what we wanted to do with our contractors. Educating, engaging, and empowering them to make a difference” she said.

“The response was overwhelming; many were not only willing to donate but also wanted to learn more about how they could help.” The ParaTough Cup also served as a powerful team-building exercise for Edison Engineers Inc. Marielle recalls the visual impairment exercise as particularly impactful.

She explained, “When I was blindfolded and my partner was walking me through this exercise, it made me realize how crucial thoughtful design is. For example, finding the accessible door after

locating the accessibility button was a challenge. This experience made me rethink our approach to making buildings more accessible”. This newfound perspective has already influenced their current projects. Bégin noted, “We’re in the process of designing an accessibility ramp for a building entrance. I emphasized to my team that just because the building code allows a certain slope doesn’t mean it’s practical for everyone. Experiencing these challenges firsthand made me realize we need to go above and beyond to make daily lives easier for people with disabilities.”

Winning the Toronto event and bringing the Champions Trophy back to their office was a proud moment for Marielle and her team.

“It was amazing to see our hard work pay off,” she said. “We felt a sense of accomplishment not just for winning, but for contributing to such a meaningful cause.”

The experience left a lasting impact, encouraging them to participate in future events across Canada and cultivating a strong connection to the Paralympic athletes they met.

“Meeting the athletes and hearing their stories was incredibly inspiring. It made us all want to do more to support them at not only the athletes who might be competing at the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympics but all the athletes throughout their sporting careers,” Marielle shared.

Marielle’s advice to other firms considering participation in the ParaTough Cup is straightforward.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for team building and making a real difference,” she said. “Don’t hesitate to get involved. The experience is rewarding on so many levels, from bonding with your team to knowing you’re supporting such an important cause and making Canada a more equitable home for all.”

Marielle Bégin’s journey through the ParaTough Cup underscores the power of sports in uniting people and raising awareness for important causes. Her experience highlights the significant impact that corporate participation can have on both the community and the company itself. Edison Engineers Inc.’s commitment to the cause serves as an inspiring example for others to follow.

“We’re already looking forward to the next event,” Marielle shared, “And are excited to continue supporting the Paralympic Foundation of Canada.”

The ParaTough Cup is a half-day corporate challenge in which teams compete in Para sport and get to know Paralympians through a fireside chat. The ParaTough Cup was created to raise awareness of the Paralympic movement and funds for Canadians with a disability to participate and excel in sport.

The 2024/25 ParaTough Cup Season includes the following events:

Vancouver ParaTough Cup
Date: October 18th, 2024
Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Richmond Olympic Oval

Montreal ParaTough Cup presented by Pfizer Canada
Date: November 7, 2024
Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Notre Dame College

Calgary ParaTough Cup fuelled by Petro-Canada
Date: March 6th, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre

Toronto ParaTough Cup presented by Canadian Tire
Date: March 27, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Mattamy Athletic Centre