Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games Torch Relay

June 6-15, 2022

Prior to each Canada Games, a Torch relay takes place that sees the Roly McLenahan Canada Games Torch lit from the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill, and then the Torch makes its way to the Host City (Niagara 2022) for the Opening Ceremony. The Torch is then used to ceremoniously light the Canada Games cauldron and officially mark the start of the Games and competition.  

Trans Canada Trail Program

As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, we’re proud to partner with the  Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games  to bring the Canada Games Torch from Ottawa to Montreal along the Trans Canada Trail Torch Relay route!

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June 6 - Ottawa, ON

The Torch has been lit! On June 6, the Niagara 2022 #CSLTorchJourney has officially begun its 60-day, 1,200 km trek by foot, bike and boat across 21 communities across Quebec and Ontario via the Trans Canada Trail.

TORCHBEARERS: Pascale St-Onge Minister of Sport and Minister Responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

Adam van Koeverden Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport

Michael Lindsay Chair, Trans Canada Trail Board

Emma Mohns Director, Trans Canada Trail Board

WHERE: Centennial Flame Ottawa, ON

DID YOU KNOW?

— The Centennial Flame is situated on the Parliament Hill grounds, just off the  Capital Pathway , which is part of the  Trans Canada Trail  network. 

— While originally meant to be a temporary monument, the Centennial Flame was so popular that it became a permanent fixture. 

— It was lit for the first time in 1966 to celebrate Canada’s 100th anniversary of Confederation. 

— The  Capital Pathway  runs from the base of the Alexandra Bridge between Gatineau and Ottawa, and follows the Ottawa River west to the Greenbelt.

— Several National Capital Region highlights can be found right nearby: the Château Laurier, National Gallery of Canada, Major’s Hill Park and much more are all on or just off the Trail! 

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June 7 - Wakefield, QC

Yesterday was a blast! Thank you to everyone who supported the #Niagara2022  #CSLTorchJourney  in Wakefield. #LightUpTheTrail #2022CanadaGames 

TORCHBEARERS: Guillaume Lamoureux Mayor of La Pêche

Sophie Chatel Member of Parliament, Pontiac

Irene Richardson Board Director, Sentiers Wakefield Trails

WHERE: Fairbairn House Heritage Centre​ 45 chemin de Wakefield Heights Wakefield, QC J0X 3G

DID YOU KNOW?

— The Fairbairn House Heritage Centre is located just off of Wakefield Trails, which is part of the  Trans Canada Trail . It’s one of Wakefield’s oldest houses and is now a museum. It’s the former home of Scottish settler Willian Fairbairn, who moved to Wakefield with his family in 1834. 

—  Wakefield Trails  spans just over 5 kilometres and follows the Gatineau River. 

— The famed Wakefield Covered Bridge can also be found on the Trail. Originally built in 1915, the bridge burned in 1984 but was faithfully restored in 1998 as a pedestrian and cyclist bridge. 

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June 8 - Messines, QC

Thank you to everyone who came out in Messines!

TORCHBEARERS: André Benoit City Councillor, Messines, representing Mayor Ronald Cross

Jocelyne Lyrette Acting prefect for Gatineau Valley RCM

WHERE:  70 Rue Principale Messines, QC J0X 2J0 

DID YOU KNOW?

— The municipality of Messines was founded in 1921. It takes its name from a Belgian village at which Canadians fought in the First World War.

— Messines can be found along the Véloroute des Draveurs, part of the  Trans Canada Trail . The trail spans 72 kilometres between Farley and Low, passing through Messines, Blue Sea, Gracefield and more. 

— An area highlight is Blue Sea Lake, aptly named for its clear, blue waters and beautiful setting. The  Véloroute des Draveurs  passes alongside the lake, where you’ll find picnic and day-use areas. 

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June 9 - Mont-Laurier, QC

Thank you to everyone who came out in Mont-Laurier!

TORCHBEARERS: Theland Kicknosway Indigenous youth trailblazer from the Potawatomi & Cree Nations and Trans Canada Trail Pathfinder

Bernard Pilon Former Director, Le P’tit Train du Nord

Dr. Hugh Scott, MD (accompanied by granddaughter Léa Scalabrini) Former Trans Canada Trail Board member

WHERE:  Gare de Mont-Laurier  700, rue Vaudreuil  Mont-Laurier, QC J9L 2B7 

DID YOU KNOW?

— The Vielle Gare de Mont-Laurier was built in 1909 by Canadian Pacific. 

— It was last used as a railway station in 1981 and was designated a heritage railway station in 1991. 

— The Vielle Gare de Mont-Laurier is now a station and tourist centre on the P’tit Train du Nord, a 234-kilometre cycling route that is part of the  Trans Canada Trail  network. The Mont-Laurier stop is the northernmost point on the  P’tit Train du Nord  trail. 

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June 10 - Mont-Tremblant, QC

Thank you to everyone who came out in Mont-Tremblant!

TORCHBEARERS: Catherine Drouin Municipal Councillor, Ville de Mont-Tremblant

Marcel Castonguay Chair, Mission Services at Canada Games

WHERE:  Place de la Gare  1885 Chem. du Village Mont-Tremblant, QC J8E 1K4 

DID YOU KNOW?

— Place de la Gare in Mont-Tremblant Village is a former railway station turned public building in the centre of the village. 

— It now houses art exhibitions from local artists – artists even sometimes work on-site in the warmer months! Exhibitions are open to the public year-round. 

— Situated along the epic  P’tit Train du Nord  to the south of Mont-Laurier, Mont-Tremblant is renowned for its skiing and winter sports in the colder months, and its cottage vibes, cycling, hiking and camping in the warmer season. It makes a great stop when you’re out and about on the Trail! 

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June 11 - Mont-Blanc, QC

Thank you to everyone who came out in Mont-Blanc!

TORCHBEARERS: Marc L'Heureux Prefect of Laurentians RCM

Richard Senécal Executive Director, Conseil québecois du sentier Transcanadien

WHERE:  Place de la Gare  420, rue de la Gare Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré, QC J0T 1J1 

DID YOU KNOW?

— Another stop on the  P’tit Train du Nord  trail, Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré features a visitor centre and tourist stop at the old railway station. 

— Although the P’tit Train du Nord is relatively flat, note that there is a steeper grade along this section of the Trail. 

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June 12 - Saint-Jérôme, QC

Thank you to everyone who came out to Saint-Jérôme! 

TORCHBEARERS: Marc Bourcier Mayor of Saint-Jérôme

WHERE:  Place de la Gare  160 Rue de la Gare Saint-Jérôme, QC J7Z 7H9 

DID YOU KNOW?

— The Place de la Gare in Saint-Jérôme was built in 1897. It was designed by a chief engineer from the Canadian Pacific Railway in the Richardsonian architecture style. 

— The Place de la Gare is situated next to an old cathedral and presbytery in historic Old Saint-Jérôme – definitely worth a wander! 

— Saint-Jérôme marks mile 0 of the  P’tit Train du Nord  trail, part of the  Trans Canada Trail  network and an extremely popular cycling route in the Laurentian region.

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June 13 - Terrebonne, QC

Thank you to everyone who came out to Terrebonne! 

TORCHBEARERS: Bruny Surin Olympic Champion Sprinter and 1985 Canada Games alum

Michel Thivierge President, Club des routiers équestre

Mathieu Traversy Mayor of Terrebonne

WHERE:  Parc du Souvenir  866 Rue St Pierre Terrebonne, QC J6W 1E5 

DID YOU KNOW?

— Parc du Souvenir is located near Old Terrebonne. It features a lovely green space and picnic area, plus games for kids and the young at heart. 

— The  TransTerrebonne  trail runs for 29 kilometres between Bois-des-Filion and Charlemagne, passing through Old Terrebonne and following the Mille Iles River. It’s part of the  Trans Canada Trail  network, linking the P’tit Train du Nord and the Ville de Charlemagne trail sections.

— Old Terrebonne is home to Île-des-Moulins, the site of several historic buildings including an old mill, parks, benches and beautiful water views. 

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June 15 - Montreal, QC

Thank you to everyone who came out to Montreal!  

TORCHBEARER: Jean-Luc Caillaud President, Conseil québécois du sentier Transcanadien

Simon Lanoix & Julie Chatelain Trans Canada Trail Pathfinders

Magali Bebronne Program Director, Vélo Québec

Yajaira Collante Assistant Treasurer, CSL Group

WHERE:  Place des Bassins  201-251 Ave Richmond Montreal, QC H3J 1S1 

DID YOU KNOW?

— Place des Bassins is part of the  Parks Canada Lachine Canal National Historic Site , which runs between the Old Port of Montreal and Lake Saint-Louis. This 13-kilometre  Trans Canada Trail  section is a popular cycling, walking and jogging trail. 

— The Lachine Canal originally opened in 1825! Since then, the area has transformed dramatically from an industrial hub to a popular residential area. 

— The Lachine Canal National Historic Site is a navigable waterway that includes 5 locks. These days, paddleboards, kayaks, electric boats and pedal boats are a frequent sight along the waterway.