Statement in the House of Commons by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on Eugenie Bouchard

June 4, 2014

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker,

Today we are celebrating our athletes, who inspire us and of whom we are so proud.

And tomorrow, for the first time it will be a Canadian who appears in the semifinals of Roland Garros in Paris: Montreal’s very own Eugenie Bouchard.

In January of this year, Genie made Canadian tennis history with her run to the semifinals of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season. And tomorrow, just a few months later and at a mere 20 years of age, Genie will make this her second straight Grand Slam semifinal.

Genie’s accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary and if – I should say when – she wins tomorrow, she will become one of the top ten female players in the world.

Mr. Speaker, Genie Bouchard’s success is a powerful reminder of how the dedication and commitment of our athletes – much like those who were just in this House – can inspire us.

So often we think of hockey as being Canada’s game – but tomorrow, I have a feeling that Canadians will be shifting their attention from the ice to the clay to cheer on one of our most promising young athletes. On behalf of our Caucus, I would like to wish her the best of luck tomorrow in Paris.