Ramesh Ferris

Cycle to Walk aims to raise funds and awareness to forward the global eradication of polio, to educate about the continuing need for immunization against polio and to support the rehabilitation of polio survivors in poor countries.

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Day 122 - Ottawa, Ontario- Cycle to Walk Meets with Stéphane Dion

by Media Coordinator, posted in Road Updates - Mon, August 11, 2008

imagePeople say that Yukon MP Larry Bagnell is everywhere, and I believe it. The team had a wonderful visit with Larry as he hosted us at Parliament Hill today. We were sure to arrive early so we could all watch the Changing of the Guard and have a look around.

It was wonderful to catch up with Larry and receive a personal tour of the Centre Block from him. Larry has worked so hard over these past couple of months to ensure that every MP is aware of the Cycle to Walk campaign. Larry arranged parking for us up on the hill before taking us around to view the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Library. As luck would have it, the Speaker of the House of Commons, The Hon. Peter Milliken, was in his office and had us in for an impromptu visit. He posed with us in front of a picture of Sir Winston Churchill that had been taken in the exact same spot, and he told us a few stories of the Canadian leaders who stood where we were standing in bygone days.

Afterwards, Larry took us to meet with the federal government’s Leader of the Official Opposition, The Hon. Stéphane Dion. Mr. Dion took the time to speak with the team and he listened to Cycle to Walk’s message that polio eradication is within our reach.

It was an honour to meet with you, Mr. Dion. Thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement, and for assuring us that you will do everything you can to support and spread the message of Cycle to Walk. Also, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to meet with the team. Your support for a polio-free world means so much to all of us.

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