The character was introduced to schoolchildren in Ottawa alongside Paralympic stars from the country.

This included swimmer Benoit Huot, a nine-time Paralympic gold medallist, and eight-time Paralympic medallist in Alpine skiing Karolina Wisniewska.

Triple Paralympic champion in wheelchair basketball Patrick Anderson was another to attend.

The beaver, a famous symbol of Canada, was selected for the mascot after gaining the largest share of votes in an online poll last year.

It saw off competition from a grolar bear and an arctic fox.

Classrooms from schools around the country also submitted their opinions through a colouring contest. 

Canada's Paralympians were asked to decide the name with "Coda" approved by the CPC's Athletes' Council.  

The name comes from a "musical passage that extends a theme in a piece, giving it a sense of balance before bringing it to its conclusion".

Coda is also the Latin word for tail.

The CPC said their new mascot cannot speak, but it is learning basic sign language.

"The beaver is synonymous with Canadian culture and history and they definitely share their perseverance and hard-working attitude with our incredible Paralympians," said Martin Richard, the executive director for communications and brand at the CPC.

"Having a mascot will help us to spread the Paralympic Movement and the power of Para-sport to a larger audience while also elevating the sense of team and togetherness among our athletes."  

Coda will now travel with the Canadian team to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, alongside other engagements.