Canadian Not-For-Profits Focused on Inclusive Sport Receive New Toyota Vehicles

TORONTO, Ontario – October 19, 2023 – Three community-based not-for-profit organizations focused on inclusion through physical accessibility received new Toyota vehicles today. Toyota Canada announced this year’s recipients of the national Toyota Cars For Good™ program, recognizing the important work organizations across the country are doing to break down barriers to movement in their communities.

The three organizations, Association québécoise de voile adaptée (Pointe-Claire, Quebec), Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (Squamish, British Columbia) and Rocky Mountain Adaptive Sports Centre (Cochrane, Alberta), were selected by a panel of judges to be the recipients of new Toyota vehicles, including any modifications required for physical accessibility.... The vehicles will support the incredible impact already being made by each of the local not-for-profits in bringing forward better mobility for all.

“As part of Toyota’s global move towards becoming a mobility company, inclusion through physical accessibility has been an area of focus for Toyota Canada,” said Cyril Dimitris, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Toyota Canada. “We’re proud to support these three incredible organizations with their important work to reduce barriers to inclusion in their communities.”

About the Toyota Cars For Good™ national program

Registered charitable organizations across Canada were invited to apply for the Toyota Cars For Good™ national program. Each application included a written submission about the organization’s mission and values; its local impact on reducing barriers to movement; and how a vehicle would benefit or enhance their efforts to foster inclusion through physical accessibility in their community.

About the Judges

A panel of Canadian judges from throughout the Canadian accessibility community was asked to assess the entries. The esteemed members of the judging panel included:

• Rhonda O’Gallagher, Board Member, Canadian Paralympic Foundation

• Josh Dueck, Former Canadian Paralympian, Para Alpine Sit Ski

• Karolina Wisniewska, Former Canadian Paralympian and Hall of Famer

Here’s what the judges had to say about the Toyota Cars For Good™ award recipients:

“It’s been a very eye-opening experience sitting on the judging panel and learning the varying challenges faced by organizations serving their communities. Despite these challenges, they remain dedicated and continue to do incredible work. It was not easy choosing winners, but I’d say that’s a good problem to have.” -  Rhonda O’Gallagher, Board Member, Canadian Paralympic Foundation

“To go through this year’s submissions ignited a sense of pride knowing there are incredible Canadian organizations helping people live their lives as fully as possible by reducing their physical barriers. With so many organizations doing remarkable work, the three winners selected especially stood out and I’m glad they can now do their work even better.” - Josh Dueck, Former Canadian Paralympian, Para Alpine Sit Ski

“The recipients of this year’s Toyota Cars For Good™ are exceptional and the impact of their work will be greatly impacted by the vehicles provided, increasing physical accessibility for their local communities. It was not easy selecting winners, but it was incredible to see so many organizations working to improve physical accessibility across Canada.” - Karolina Wisniewska, Paralympian and Co-Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games” 

For more information about the national Toyota Cars For Good™ program, visit:  www.toyota.ca/carsforgood     

About Toyota Canada Inc. 

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over six million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability to the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax, and parts distribution centres in Clarington and Vancouver. Toyota also operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than nine million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid, as well as Lexus NX 250, NX 350 and NX 350h hybrid. The company has sold more than 20 million electrified vehicles worldwide and is the number one seller of electrified vehicles in Canada.

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