office of the lieutenant governor of ontario

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release   Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A STATEMENT FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

ON THE DEATH OF DR. ROBERT W. JACKSON, O.C.

TORONTO – I have learned with deep regret of the passing of Dr. Robert W. Jackson, who was respected as the father of the paralympic movement in Canada.

Internationally renowned for his clinical work in arthroscopy, his achievements include the founding of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association of Canada in 1967, the precursor for the creation of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

He was the recipient of a number of honours and awards in recognition for his outstanding leadership in revolutionizing the field of sports medicine and for the development of the paralympic movement in Canada.  In 2001, Dr. Jackson was inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame.

Dr Jackson’s passing is especially poignant at this time with the upcoming Ontario ParaSport Winter Games in Kingston, Ontario, and as paralympians prepare for the Vancouver Paralympics next month.

I extend my sincere condolences to Dr. Jackson’s wife, Marilyn, and to his children and grandchildren.

- 30 -

Contact:

Nanda Casucci-Byrne

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

416-325-7780

www.lt.gov.on.ca