Canada Games

Who were the cities involved in the 2013 Summer Canada Games bid process?

When were the first Canada Games held?

How many people have participated in the Canada Games since their creation?

Will hosting the Canada Games enable Sherbrooke to acquire new sports facilities?

Is the government involved in the organization of the Canada Games?

Have the Canada Games contributed to the success of some renowned Canadian athletes?

What is the role of the Canada Games Council?

Will hosting the Canada Games have a real economic impact on the City of Sherbrooke?

Has the Province of Québec ever hosted the Canada Games?

What are the sports scheduled during the Canada Games?

Who was the Québec flag-bearer for the last Canada Games?

What is the age limit for athletes participating in the Canada Games?

What does the Canada Games logo symbolize?

What is the selection process for a city hosting the Canada Games?

Which province has won most often the Canada Games?

When were the first Canada Games held?

The Canada Games were held for the first time in 1967 when Canada was celebrating its 100th year of existence. Québec City had the honour of hosting the first Games that reunited 1,800 athletes from across Canada to compete in 15 different sports.

How many people have participated in the Canada Games since their creation?

Since 1967, nearly 100,000 athletes have participated in the Games, while several hundred thousands have taken part in the trials and qualification tests. Also, more than 100,000 trainers, officials and volunteers have contributed to the success of the Games since 1967.

Will hosting the Canada Games enable Sherbrooke to acquire new sports facilities?

Definitely. Since their creation, over 300 million dollars have been invested for the Canada Games and nearly half of that amount has been invested in capital projects in the different host communities. That is how the City of London, Ontario, has been able to build the TD Waterhouse Stadium a few years ago. The Sherbrooke bid anticipates the construction of a new pool to welcome swimming and diving athletes but mostly several enhancements to existing facilities and the purchase of new specialized equipment.

Is the government involved in the organization of the Canada Games?

Because this is a major event, the organization of the Canada Games requires sustained cooperation among the Government of Canada, the provincial and territorial governments, the hosting municipalities, the private sector and the Canada Games Council.

Have the Canada Games contributed to the success of some renowned Canadian athletes?

Yes, many known Canadian athletes have participated in the Canada Games, which were for them an important step in their development. To name a few: Toller Cranston (artistic skating, 1967), Bob Gainey (hockey, 1971), Sylvie Daigle (speed skating, 1979), Annie Pelletier (diving, 1989), Marc Gagnon (speed skating, 1991), Steve Nash (basketball, 1993), Alexandre Despatie (diving, 1997), and Sidney Crosby (hockey, 2003).

What is the role of the Canada Games Council?

While the Canada Games move from one host community to the other, the Council offers continuity, leadership and the support that the host communities need. Generally, the Council is very useful in certain aspects of the Games like organizational planning, official ceremonies, protocol, marketing, sponsorships, as well as the technical part of the different sports included in the Canada Games program.

Will hosting the Canada Games have a real economic impact on the City of Sherbrooke?

Surely. The economic impact associated with the Canada Games starts from the development of a bid project and culminates with the competitions themselves. For instance, the Sumer Games of 2005 generated an economic activity totalling 77.1 million dollars in the City of Regina. Also, 750 jobs were created for that event and more than 18 million dollars were paid for wages in that city.

Has the Province of Québec ever hosted the Canada Games?

Yes. It is in Québec City that the very first winter edition of the Games occurred in 1967. The Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean area also hosted the Canada Winter Games in 1983. However, the Summer Games have never been held in the Province of Québec.

What are the sports scheduled during the Canada Games?

The choice of sports can vary slightly from one edition to the other. For each edition, the different national sports organizations have to apply for selection with the Canada Games Council. For instance, the following are the sports to be featured in the next Games:

2009 Summer Games: Track and field, rowing, baseball (men), basketball, canoeing and kayaking, cycling (road and mountain), golf, wrestling, swimming, diving, rugby (men), soccer, softball (women), tennis, triathlon, sailing, volleyball (indoor and beach).

2011 Winter Games: Badminton, wheelchair basketball (mixed), biathlon, boxing (men), curling, artistic gymnastics, hockey, judo, synchronized swimming (women), artistic skating, speed skating, ringette (women), acrobatic skiing, alpine skiing (slalom, giant slalom, super-G), cross-country skiing, squash, snowboarding, table tennis, shooting (air pistol and air rifle), as well as archery (indoor).

Who was the Québec flag-bearer for the last Canada Games?

For the Whitehorse, Yukon, Winter Games in 2007, it was Mathieu Laforest, badminton athlete, who was flag-bearer during the opening ceremony. For the closing ceremony of the same Games, the honour fell on fencer Vincent Couturier, winner of two gold medals at the sabre.

What is the age limit for athletes participating in the Canada Games?

To be eligible for the Canada Games, athletes must generally be between 12 and 18 years of age. However, that may vary depending on the sport.

What does the Canada Games logo symbolize?

Maple leaf: Features dynamism and drive, therefore action and energy.

Golden circle: Represents the convergence of the Provinces and Territories to the Games, as well as continuity, stability and force.

Gold colour: Stands for the pursuit of excellence.

What is the selection process for a city hosting the Canada Games?

The selection process of the hosting city is triggered five years before the Games are held. The Canada Games Council sends the requirements and procedures pertaining to bids. The provincial government has the responsibility of designating three municipalities that the province will agree to support as possible hosts of the Games. If more than three municipalities are interested, the provincial government then has to proceed to a pre-selection. When the three finalists are announced, the Council undertakes the assessment of each bid, which includes a visit of each municipality. The Council bases its assessment on the following criteria: care and comfort of participants, logistics, technical and operational aspects, finance, budget estimates and marketing, leadership and community support, as well as the legacy following the Games. After such assessment, the Council makes its recommendation to the provincial government who will then have the responsibility of making the final choice.

Which province has won most often the Canada Games?

It is Ontario that has had most success by winning 17 times the Canada Games Flag. Québec comes second with three victories.