The Paralympics were transformative for the CPC, they claimed, and the organisation acknowledged the strong Government support for the Paralympic Movement at Parliament Hill in Canada.

Canada's Sports Minister Gary Lunn, was on hand to present some of the first pieces of equipment to be distributed in 2011 through the CPC's PEF and praised the impact of Vancouver 2010 in promoting Paralympic sport across Canada.

"One year ago today brought the closing to a truly memorable performance by our Paralympic athletes at the 2010 Winter Games," said Lunn.

"Canada's Paralympic athletes are an enormous source of pride and an inspiration for all Canadians.

"Our Government is proud to support the Canadian Paralympic Committee and to promote greater awareness of Paralympic sports."

The equipment distributed through the PEF was received by athletes and representatives of the Ottawa Odyssey Boccia Club and the Sledge Hockey of Eastern Ontario Association (SHEO).

Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games medallist in Para-alpine skiing Karolina Wisniewska and 2010 national sledge hockey team players Marc Dorion, Jean Labonté and Hervé Lord attended the event at Parliament Hill to showcase the on-going legacy of the Games on the Paralympic sport grassroots community.

"The 2010 Games ushered in a new era of progress and growth," said CPC chief executive Henry Storgaard.

"During the Games, one of the most recognised measurements of success was the increase in awareness and the impact on participation in the grassroots community.

"The PEF encourages all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport by providing adapted sport equipment to clubs across the country and removing this potential barrier to participation."

"Following the 2010 Games, there has been a surge in equipment requests at the first contact and recruitment levels.

"In 2009-10, 26 organisations and clubs applied to the PEF program, which was able to provide $50,000 (£30,500) in equipment funding.

"This past year, 86 organisations submitted applications to the CPC and a total of $250,000 (£152,000) in equipment grants will be provided, in part due to enhanced government and corporate partnerships."

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