RUGBY CANADA THANKS QUALTHROUGH, WELCOMES HEHR

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet today as consequence Canada has a new minister responsible for sport, Calgary Member of Parliament, Kent Hehr. Mr. Hehr replaces Carla Qualtrough who now takes on the role of Minister of Public Services and Procurement.

"Minister Qualtrough was an excellent Minister of Sport and a great champion of rugby, " said Tim Powers, Chairman of the Rugby Canada Board of Directors. "She supported our teams around the world in many ways from Rio to Vancouver. We thank her and congratulate her on her new role.”

"Minister Qualtrough was well regarded throughout the Canadian and International sports systems, " commented Allen Vansen Chief Executive Officer of Rugby Canada. "We appreciated the investment she and her team at Sport Canada made in us."

Hon. Kent Hehr was born and raised in Calgary.  An avid sports fan, Mr. Hehr was a competitive athlete in his youth in hockey and baseball.  His life changed forever in 1991, while riding in a friend’s car he was hit by a drive-by shooter where he became quadriplegic and bound to a wheelchair.

"On behalf of Rugby Canada and the Canadian rugby community we congratulate Minister Hehr on his new role," said Powers and Vansen. " We look forward to working with him. "