OTTAWA, ONTARIO (May 3, 2018) – It is with great sadness that Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) has learned of the passing of Ontario Conservative MP and CKC Alumni Gordon Brown. Gordon passed suddenly after suffering a fatal heart attack in his Parliament Hill office Wednesday morning.

The 57-year-old MP, who had represented the eastern Ontario riding of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes since 2004, was remembered as a tireless advocate, a passionate politician and a devoted family man.

Mr. Brown’s home town club, of which he was a proud alumni, honoured him with a Facebook post on Wednesday, “Gord was always a huge supporter of The Gananoque Canoe Club. Countless times he would lend his voice to our cause and praised the club for its role in his youth in shaping the man he became. He will be deeply missed.”

Brown raced at many national events in the 1970s and 80’s with the Gananoque, highlighted by back to back Juvenile Men’s K-4 titles at the Canadian Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships in 1976 and 1977. He also climbed to the top of the podium with Team Ontario as part of the K-4 crew at the 1977 Canada Games in St. John’s.

Going on to race for Canada, Brown was a two-time medalist at the 1977 North American Championships in Montreal where he won gold in the Junior Men’s K-2 500 meter event, as well a silver medal in the Junior Men’s K-4 500 meter race.

Later, he competed at the 1988 ICF World Marathon Championships with longtime friend and team mate Peter Patasi in the Men’s K-2 42 km event.

Brown leaves behind his wife, Claudine, and two sons, Chance and Tristan.

On behalf of the entire paddling community, Canoe Kayak Canada would like to send its deepest condolences to the Brown family.

About Canoe Kayak Canada

Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada, one of Canada’s top performing summer sports with a total of 24 Olympic medals, and a leader in the Paralympic movement. Canoe Kayak Canada is a member-based organization that includes an intricate network of clubs as well as provincial, territorial and divisional paddling associations. Elite National Team athletes proudly represent Canada at various competitions around the globe – most notably the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, ICF World Cups as well as Junior, Under 23 and Senior World Championships. Follow Canoe Kayak Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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For more information :

Joannie Verret

Communications Coordinator

jverret@canoekayak.ca

(418) 271-3785