Steve Estey

I, too, would like to honour and acknowledge the life and legacy of Steve Estey, along with my caucus. He was the most tireless advocate I have ever encountered, and I've encountered a lot of advocates. It was an honour to know him. He dedicated his life to advancing the rights, dignity, and equity of people with disabilities, and he did it with brilliance, wit, humour, and joy.

He was a passionate advocate and change-maker for disability rights in Nova Scotia, Canada, and on the global scale. We've heard about this already, but it bears repeating: He was part of the delegation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He also worked on the ground in more than 30 countries to support organizations that supported people with disabilities. He played a pivotal role in developing disability laws here at home, such as the Accessibility Act here in Nova Scotia and the Accessible Canada Act, and due to his numerous achievements and relentless advocacy, among other accolades, in 2021 he was awarded the Nova Scotia Human Rights Award.

The work and legacy of Steve Estey does not end with him. I ask all members of this House to join me in honouring his memory and committing to continue the fight for equal rights for all.