2023 Canada Winter Games Torch Relay—Represent your community, become a torchbearer!

As a partner, a sports venue, and the Athletes' Village for the 2023 Canada Winter Games, UPEI is excited, along with the Canada Winter Games Host Society, to promote the 2023 Canada Winter Games Torch Relay.

Prior to every Canada Games, a Torch Relay takes place that sees the Roly McLenahan Canada Games Torch travel part of the country as it makes its way to the host city/province for the opening ceremony. Ceremoniously lit from the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill, the Roly McLenahan Torch will ignite the official Games flame during the opening ceremony.

In keeping true with this time-honoured Canada Games tradition, the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games will begin its Torch Relay on October 17, 2022, with a lighting ceremony on Parliament Hill before heading to Prince Edward Island. This symbolic tradition will build excitement and connect PEI to the 13 provinces and territories that will send 3,600 athletes, managers, and coaches, across 20 different sports, for the largest multi-sport event in the country.

The Torch Relay will visit over 20 communities across PEI and engage with local residents through a series of Torch Relay events and community celebrations, with various Torchbearers carrying the torch. Learn more and view the Torch Relay map

After arriving in PEI and traveling from tip-to-tip, the torch will make its way to Eastlink Centre on February 18, 2023, for the opening ceremony of the 2023 Canada Winter Games, where it will light the cauldron and officially ignite the competition.

The call for nominations to become a torchbearer in the upcoming 2023 Canada Games Torch Relay is now open! The Canada Games Host Society is looking for outstanding individuals to represent their community on the national stage with the honour of carrying the historical Roly McLenahan Canada Games Torch in their communities. While sporting a special uniform, the torchbearer will play a significant role in the excitement building up to Canada’s largest multi-sport event.

The Host Society values all differences and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Please complete the Torchbearer Nomination Form to nominate yourself or a fellow community member to be a Torchbearer in the 2023 Canada Winter Games Torch Relay. Please complete and submit the online form by 5 pm ADT on July 15, 2022.

The following criteria are required for becoming a Torchbearer:

• Be at least 12 years of age on or before October 1, 2022;
• Be a Canadian citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Canada for the duration of the relay (October 4, 2022, until February 18, 2023);
• Be able to complete (run, walk or wheel) the assigned segment (160 to 500 metres) on the assigned day;
• Must be able to complete assigned Torch Relay segment while holding the Torch (3 to 6 lbs) in an upright position at eye level, or use an adaptable Torch bracket and/or assistant;
• Be able to participate in the 1–2-hour Torch community celebration in your community;
• Be willing to travel at your own expense to the assigned community meeting point and then from the finish point of the relay;
• Wear the provided Torchbearer uniform for the duration of your Torchbearer experience;
• Consent to undertake and successfully complete an enhanced security background check;
• Sign the participation waiver before your assigned relay;
• Agree to have your photo, profile and story published by the 2023 Canada Winter Games, Canada Games Council, Games sponsors or media for the purpose of promoting the 2023 Canada Winter Games Torch Relay events.