The 2017 Canada Games torch relay will be passing through several Northern Manitoba communities including Gillam, Fox Lake Cree Nation, Thompson, The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation July 1-10 as it traverses the province to reach the host city Winnipeg on July 26, two days before the games kick off.
The Roly McLenahan Torch, renamed in 1985 for an original member of the Canada Games Council, will be lit at Parliament Hill in Ottawa and then begin its tour of Manitoba in Steinbach June 23, continuing on to Kenora and Morden before reaching Gillam and Fox Lake Cree Nation on Canada Day and Thompson July 6 before moving on to The Pas and OCN July 10 and then through Dauphin, Gimil, Brandon, Sagkeeng First Nation and Great Falls before reaching its destination.
“This highly symbolic starting point connects the nation’s capital to the provinces and territories that will be sending 4,000 athletes and coaches to compete in the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games,” said Jeff Hnatiuk, president and CEO of the 2017 Canada Games Host Society.
“The route was chosen to reflect the diversity of the province and to include as many Manitobans as possible to participate in this national event and make it a great success,” said Kelvin Shepherd, president and CEO of major games sponsor Manitoba Hydro. “Manitoba Hydro is proud to is demonstrate our commitment to the communities we serve, and to the spirit of the Canada Summer Games. The torch relay provides an opportunity for us all to get involved.”
The torch will be carried by 10 to 20 torchbearers in each community outside of Winnipeg along a two- to five-kilometre route broken up into approximately 200-metre segments for each torchbearer and will end at a local Manitoba Hydro office in communities where there is one, which will be the site of a community celebration. The torch will travel about 3,500 kilometres through the course of its travels through Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.
“The torch relay will remain a part of Canada’s history long after the games,” said federal Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Carla Qualtrough. “Our government is proud to support the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg and the many activities that will make the games shine bright during the year-long Canada 150 celebrations.”
“The torch relay provides another exciting chance for people living in communities around the province to get involved,” said Manitoba Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage Rochelle Squires. “The games and celebrations surrounding them will create lifelong memories, not only for people in the host city of Winnipeg but for those all along the relay route.”
Prospective torchbearers must submit applications by April 14 and the successful applicants will be announced on Manitoba Day May 12. Application forms will be available at local Manitoba Hydro offices or online at www.canadagames.ca/2017. Torchbearers must be 12 or older by June 1, be Canadian citizens or legal residents and be physically capable of running, walking or wheeling a 200- to 500-metre segment of the relay. Torchbearers will be selected by a committee including Manitoba Hydro representatives along with community representatives of each of the torch relay communities.
The 2017 Canada Summer Games will run from July 28-Aug. 13 and involve over 4,000 athletes and coaches and bring an estimated 20,000 visitors to Winnipeg.
