A record breaking amount has been raised at the latest ParaTough Cup stop that will have a positive impact on the development of Para sport in Canada.
The Montreal edition of the ParaTough Cup presented by Pfizer Canada, set a new fundraising record raising an impressive $211,000 in support of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s IGNITE campaign. This remarkable achievement, the highest amount ever raised at a single ParaTough Cup event, reflects the dedication and generosity of Montreal’s corporate and community teams, united by a shared commitment to supporting the development of Para sport across Canada.
Held at Collège Notre-Dame, the event welcomed a sellout crowd with 16 teams and 113 participants competing in spirited challenges across three Paralympic sports: sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, and Para ice hockey. Each team committed a minimum of $5,000 to participate, with additional points awarded for fundraising efforts.
The Bell Essaie team clinched first place in the competition, followed by Le Collectif and Les Bâtisseurs. Le Collectif also earned the top fundraising team honours. Pfizer Canada, as title sponsor, made a substantial impact with four participating teams, while Fasken entered three, and Bell Canada fielded two. Other supporters included Petro-Canada, Air Canada, Groupe MACH, Équipe Radio-Canada, and Express – On the Fly.
“This event is so important to us as partners of the Canadian Paralympic Committee,” Bell team captain Dayne Bailey said. “We want everyone who has a disability to have the opportunity to participate in sport.”
Adding to the excitement, several of Canada’s top Para athletes attended, sharing their stories and engaging with participants. Among the national team athletes present were two-time Winter Paralympians Frédérique Turgeon (Para alpine skiing) and Sandrine Hamel (Para snowboarding), Para ice hockey player Vincent Boily, six-time Wheelchair rugby Paralympian Mike Whitehead, and Paris 2024 silver medal winning swimmer Tess Routliffe.
They were joined at the ParaTough Cup event by CPC Alumni including six-time Winter Games medallist Mac Marcoux (Para alpine skiing), Para ice hockey legend Todd Nicholson, and Para swimmer Camille Bérubé, who served as the event’s emcee.
Pfizer Canada’s Audrey Trecasse, attending her sixth ParaTough Cup, spoke to the event’s impact.
“It’s always a great experience for an important cause. It’s a thrill to meet the Paralympic athletes, my superheroes, and it’s emotional to see them here. Trying these Para sports brings real awareness. You realize the incredible skill levels of these high-performance athletes,” Trecasse said.
The IGNITE campaign, powered by the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, fuels initiatives to build a more inclusive future where every Canadian with a disability can experience the transformative power of sport. Through its work, the Foundation aims to shape communities into supportive and accessible spaces, fostering a sense of belonging for all.
The ParaTough Cup series continues on March 6, 2025, in Calgary, as it strives to break new records and create lasting change for the Paralympic Movement in Canada.
For more information on future events and ways to contribute, visit ParaToughCup.ca.
Here are the upcoming ParaTough Cup events:
Calgary ParaTough Cup fuelled by Petro-Canada
Date: March 6, 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
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