Torch Relay
Niagara's communities sharing in the excitement of the Canada Games, one runner at a time.
Presenting Sponsor of the Torch Relay
Torch Relay Journey
Follow our the Canada Games Flame as it makes its way to the Opening Ceremony
Read MoreA Brief History of the Torch Relay
Photo credit - Mathieu Barrette
Prior to every Canada Games, a Torch Relay takes place and sees the Roly McLenahan Torch travel part of the country, as it makes its way to the Host City for the Opening Ceremony.
In keeping true with this time-honoured Canada Games tradition, the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games began its Torch Relay with a lighting ceremony for the Roly McLenahan Torch in Ottawa at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill, before heading to Montreal for its unprecedented journey on the water!
Our Trail Program
The Roly McLenahan Canada Games Torch also traveled along the world’s longest trail network - The Trans Canada Trail!
After being lit by the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the Torch Relay forged ahead down a distinctive path on the Trans Canada Trail from the nation’s capital, making a handful of stops along the trail as it headed east towards Montreal, where it joined the CSL St-Laurent on the waterways to Niagara for the commencement of our land program.
By traveling on part of the 28,000 km long trail, we hoped to inspire Canadians to embrace the outdoors, discover the diversity and richness of the land, enhance their health and well-being, and share their stories along this globally significant and iconic trail network.
Take Part in the Torch Relay!
In partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Niagara, the Niagara 2022 Host Society co-ran a community fundraiser in support of both Rotary Club community initiatives and the 2022 Canada Games. By purchasing one of these one-of-a-kind t-shirts, not only did you support our Niagara community, but you also had the opportunity to run behind the torchbearers during the Games' Torch Relay!
Purchase NowOur Waterways Program
With Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) acting as the program’s presenting sponsor, Niagara 2022’s Torch Relay began its initial leg on the Trillium Class bulk carrier CSL St-Laurent travelling on the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Specifically, the Torch embarked this ship at St. Lambert Lock in Montreal, before later disembarking at one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels, the Welland Canal, where it began its journey across the Niagara Region.
By travelling on the water, the Niagara 2022 Torch Relay took a unique path from its predecessors, while also paying tribute to the historical significance of water as a means of transportation across Canada and through Niagara.
Our Land Program
Following its trek on water, the Torch then visited each of Niagara’s twelve municipalities and engaged with local residents in the lead up to the 2022 Canada Games.
After the final leg of the land program was complete, the Torch made its way to the Meridian Centre on August 6, 2022 for the Opening Ceremony, where it ignited the Canada Games cauldron and officially commenced the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Ultimately, the Niagara 2022 Torch Relay represented an invitation to the country and our local Niagara community to join in the journey of the Games, and an opportunity for us to showcase our community pride as we prepared for the arrival of the next generation of athletes to the Niagara Region for Canada’s largest multi-sport event.
