Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Pete McIntyre

Dueck joins Hall of Fame’s 2019 class

Nov 18, 2019 | 1:38 PM

Vernon’s Josh Dueck and four other Canadian Paralympic legends have been inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame.

Dueck, who was born in Kimberley B.C, joined Colette Bourgonje (Porcupine Plain, Sask.), Viviane Forest (Edmonton), Garett Hickling (Kelowna), and Joey Johnson (Lorette, MB) as the athletes indicted at a ceremony held at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel.

Coach Joe Rea (Prince George, B.C.) and builder Kathy Newman (Vancouver) also entered the sports shrine.

The 38-year-old Dueck, who was injured in a ski jumping accident in 2004, is a para alpine skier, who won a gold medal and two silvers in the Paralympic Games in 2010 (Vancouver) and 2014 (Sochi).
(Read his full bio here.)

“When I look back on my sports career, I am so thankful beyond any measure that it helped me develop the tools, and the skills, and the experience to not only negotiate and manage this life that we live in that can be crazy, and awesome, but it also gives us the skills to appreciate it and thrive within it,” Dueck said.

Missing person
Public asked for assistance locating missing youth
Jun 17, 2026
Policing
RCMP searching for missing Vernon woman
Jun 17, 2026
Underused Facility
Local MP calls for Vernon cadet camp be used for Armed Forces expansion
Jun 17, 2026

Dueck was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, same year he was also named executive director of Freestyle B.C.

The Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates athletes, coaches, and builders who have made a significant impact on the growth and development of the Paralympic Movement in Canada. A new class of inductees is honoured every two years.

Part on Josh Dueck starts at 31:10.

For more information on each inductee, and to view the complete list of Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame members, visit Paralympic.ca/hall-fame-inductees.

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

Preparedness warning
Lake Country urges residents to prepare as wildfire, weather risks rise
The District of Lake Country is urging residents to get prepared now as warmer, drier conditions increase the risk of wildfire and other seasonal emergencies across the Central Okanagan.Fire Chief Darren Lee says preparedness begins at home, encouraging residents to develop emergency plans, build grab-and-go kits, and ...
10h ago
Read More
Road Upgrades
Vernon investing $1.8M in road upgrades through rehabilitation program
The City of Vernon is moving ahead with its annual road rehabilitation program, aimed at improving safety and driving conditions across several key corridors this construction season.The city says it will invest $1.8 million in 2026 to rehabilitate about 4.4 lane kilometres of roadway as part of ongoing infrastructure ...
11h ago
Read More
Fighting back
Mosquito problems
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District is spending reserve money to help fight a growing mosquito problem.Wet weather has led to large numbers of mosquito larvae in areas around Golden, Revelstoke and Scotch Creek.More treatments are planned, with officials warning the mosquito season could get worse before it gets bet...
11h ago
Read More
No injuries
House fire near Vernon
An early morning fire destroyed a duplex in the BX area north of Vernon, leaving four families without a home.Everyone inside escaped, although two people were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.Firefighters couldn't enter the home because of intense flames and live power lines.
11h ago
Read More
Residents home
Kalamoir Fire evacuation alerts lifted
Residents in Casa Loma and Lakeview Heights can return to normal after evacuation alerts were lifted on Thursday.Officials say fire activity remains under control, with crews continuing cleanup work on remaining hot spots.Kalamoir Regional Park is still closed while firefighting operations continue in the area.
11h ago
Read More
Stepping Aside
Wooldridge not seeking re-election to Kelowna city council
Kelowna city councillor Loyal Wooldridge will not run for re-election in this fall's municipal vote, bringing an end to eight years on council.Wooldridge says the decision comes after careful reflection on the demands of public life and a desire to spend more time with family and focus on personal priorities, including...
14h ago
Read More
Wildfire Detection
B.C. ministers tour UBCO wildfire research as drought risk rises in Okanagan
A B.C. government delegation visited UBC Okanagan this week to tour wildfire research, training and emerging technology aimed at improving fire detection, forecasting and response across the province.The demonstration highlighted artificial intelligence-powered camera systems designed to detect smoke at the earliest st...
14h ago
Read More
Drying Up
Drought tightening across Okanagan as heat, dry weather persist
Dry conditions continue to intensify across the Okanagan, with prolonged heat placing growing pressure on local water systems and keeping Greater Vernon under Stage 3 water restrictions as reservoirs and streams continue to drop.Officials say the ongoing dry spell is also starting to weigh on agriculture, with orchards...
14h ago
Read More
July 1 Party
Enderby hosting all-day Canada Day celebrations
A full day's worth of celebrations will go in the North Okanagan to celebrate the nation's birthday.The City of Enderby will host Canada Day celebrations at Riverside Park July 1.The day will kick off with the Enderby Lions Pancake Breakfast and Classic Car Show registration at 8 a.m.; followed by the Canada Day Parade...
19h ago
Read More

What Matters

Missing person
Public asked for assistance locating missing youth
Jun 17, 2026
Policing
RCMP searching for missing Vernon woman
Jun 17, 2026
Underused Facility
Local MP calls for Vernon cadet camp be used for Armed Forces expansion
Jun 17, 2026
Hot, Dry Conditions & Elevated Risks
Wildfire, drought risks high heading into summer: B.C. Government
Jun 16, 2026
149 Hectare Blaze
Wildfire near Stump Lake Being Held, Evacuation Alerts still in place
Jun 16, 2026