The City of Thunder Bay joined other former Canada Games hosts across the nation in raising the Canada Games Flag at City Hall today. The simultaneous flag-raising also coincided with the lighting of the first ever Canada Games Torch at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The torch will be making its way across Canada and will land in Red Deer, Alberta in February to signify the start of the 2019 Canada Winter Games being held in that city.

“The 1981 Jeux Canada Games was one of the most significant events ever hosted in our community,” stated Mayor Keith Hobbs at the ceremony. “The legacy of the Games continues to live on as many citizens enjoy the benefits of such facilities as the Canada Games Complex and the Royal Canadian Legion Track.”

Members of the National Team Development Centre Cross-Country Ski Team were also on hand to assist Mayor Hobbs with the ceremony. Lisle Compton, a Kenora native who competed in the 2015 Canada Winter Games held in Prince George as a member of Team Manitoba recalled fondly her experience at the event. “The Canada Games provides a superb environment for young athletes to test their mettle against other athletes from across the country,” said Compton.

The Canada Games Torch Relay, sponsored by MNP, will be arriving in Thunder Bay on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. More details about the arrival will be released at a later date. For information about the relay visit www.canadagames.ca/2019/mnp-canada-games-torch-relay.

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Contact: Doug Henry, Sport & Community Event Development Officer, 629-7098,   dhenry@thunderbay.ca