Jonathan
Vermette

In November 2000 Jonathan was involved in a terrible car crash on Autoroute 55 in Trois-Rivières, Que. The head-on collision with a small truck killed his mother Louise, and seriously injured himself as well as his sister Karine and twin brother Philippe, who are all paralyzed. Only his father and the truck driver escaped serious injury.

Already active children before the accident, sport would play a significant role in the family’s rehabilitation from the ordeal.

Vermette was introduced to wheelchair basketball at a rehabilitation facility in 2001. He began playing the sport four years later alongside his twin brother Philippe, after their father created a club team in Sherbrooke, Que.

He made his debut with Team Canada at the world junior championships in 2009. In 2013, Vermette once again cracked the Junior National Team roster and also made his debut with the Senior Men’s National Team. He earned a full-time roster on the senior team in 2014.

He’s played at the last three Parapan Am Games, last two Paralympic Games and last two world championships.

In 2023, he helped Canada to sixth at the world championships and a bronze medal at the Parapan American Games. He was in the line-up for Canada as it qualified for the Paris Games at a tournament in France in April 2024.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games… 2015, 2019, 2023 Parapan American Games… 2018, 2023 World Championships… Gold medal at the 2007, 2011, 2015 Canada Games…

PERSONAL

Vermette enjoys travelling and practicing other sports such as skiing, tennis and handcycling… Graduated in 2021 from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) with a Bachelor’s degree in urban, community and regional planning..

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

• 2023 Parapan American Games 3rd
• 2023 World Championships 6th
• 2021 Paralympic Games 8th
• 2019 Parapan American Games 2nd
• 2018 World Championships 12th
• 2016 Paralympic Games 11th
• 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games – 2nd
• 2013 Men’s U23 World Championship – 6th
• 2009 Men’s U23 World Championship – 8th