2.19.2023
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BY
The Host Society
We’re All Islanders! PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games Kick Off With High-Energy Opening Ceremony
Let the Games begin! Reminiscent of an Island kitchen party, the athletes were all smiles and a capacity crowd was brought to its feet during the Opening Ceremony of the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games.
Combining grand pageantry with authentic “Island” stories, it was a night to remember at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown as over 300 performers celebrated the landmarks and the unique charm and character of the communities that make up Prince Edward Island.
With a warm Island welcome, the 29th edition of the Canada Games is now underway with over 3,600 athletes, managers, and coaches, across 20 different sports, ready to compete and spark greatness in the largest multi-sport event in the country. With a forecasted economic impact of over $100 million, the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games will be the largest event hosted in Prince Edward Island’s history.
“This evening we felt a collective sense of pride and excitement as the athletes stepped onto the national stage for the opening of the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Over the next two weeks, we look forward to celebrating the very best in Canadian sports and sharing our unique Island spirit with the entire nation,” said Wayne Carew, Chair, PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games.
“The opening ceremony was spectacular and truly set the tone for the Games! In the next two
weeks, all eyes will be on Prince Edward Island as it welcomes the country and its top provincial and territorial athletes,” said the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. “I would like to highlight the wonderful work of everyone involved. The Government of Canada is proud to help make these Games a reality. Good luck to all the athletes competing!”
"Featuring some of the most iconic Island symbols, stories, and traditions, the Opening Ceremony was the perfect way to welcome everyone to Prince Edward Island," said The Honourable Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island. "With the help of thousands of volunteers, and supported by their family, friends, coaches, and managers, this generation's top young athletes will have one of the most memorable Canada Winter Games experiences the Island way. Good luck to all our competitors!"
“We are thrilled to see the nation unite from far and wide in a celebration of Canadian sport and spirit at the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games,” said Evan Johnston, Chair, Canada Games Council. The Opening Ceremony was a thrilling way to kick off what will be two amazing weeks as the country’s top young athletes compete on the national stage and spark greatness on and off the field from coast to coast to coast.”
“We have all worked so hard to get to this point, the athletes, team officials, volunteers, and everyone involved with the Canada Games. Team PEI is ready to host the nation, and make memories that will last a lifetime!” - Joanne Wallace, Team PEI, Chef de Mission
“To be named Flagbearer for Team PEI is an incredible honour, one that we will never forget. After four long years of training, travelling, and competing, we can’t wait to lead Team PEI into the 2023 Canada Games." - Ryan Dwyer and Ella Lenentine, Team PEI Flagbearers
Held every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games are the country’s marquee event for amateur sport representing the highest level of national competition for thousands of up-and-coming Canadian athletes. This uniquely Canadian event, which counts Andre De Grasse, Sidney Crosby, Steve Nash, Katarina Roxon and Hayley Wickenheiser as alumni, is also one of the only multi-sport competitions in the world that features events for able-bodied athletes, as well as athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities.
The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games will feature an inaugural Karate match, Mixed Doubles Curling match, and the first-ever women's Boxing match in the history of the Canada Games. Canadians nationwide will be able watch competitions live and other on-demand content on the new Canada Games streaming platform for free. The 15-day broadcast will feature over 1,200 hours of live event coverage. Viewers can enjoy the 2023 Canada Games live and on-demand through the following platforms. Stream for free on any device:
The full 2023 Canada Games broadcast schedule, including CBC Sports and Radio-Canada Sports coverage, can be found online here.
After 16 incredible days, the 29th edition of the Canada Games will officially conclude tonight with the Closing Ceremony from Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown at 7:30 PM AST.
There have been records smashed and countless debuts made by athletes here at the 2023 Canada Games, but yesterday, history was made when female boxing got underway on P.E.I.
Curling in Canada is rich in history, with the first curling club established in Montreal in 1807. This morning, 216 years later, another first in Canadian curling history took place as Mixed Doubles Curling made its Canada Games debut at the Montague Curling Club.
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Women’s hockey at the Canada Games returns to P.E.I. where it made its original debut in 1991. In the tournaments since then, numerous Canadian hockey idols have laced up and begun their glorious careers at the Canada Games.
In just six contests this Winter Games, McKenna recorded 29 points including 14 goals, smashing a Canada Games record that stood for 28 years. The previous record for points in a tournament was 27, set by Francois Methot of Quebec in 1995 and tied by Kelsey Tessier of New Brunswick in 2007.
With the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games officially underway, the Canada Games Council (CGC) and the 2023 Host Society are thrilled to celebrate the nation’s top young athletes and their families and friends with the launch of Canada Games House, presented by Canadian Tire.
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After many years of planning, the town of North Rustico reached a historic milestone today with the opening of Eliyahu Wellness Centre at Canada Games Place.
The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games Host Society is ready to give a warm Maritime welcome to over 3,600 athletes, managers and coaches as they descend on PEI’s friendly shores for the 29th edition of the Canada Games.
The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games Host Society and Canada Games Council are proud to unveil the new cauldron that will house the flame to ignite the spirit of Canadian sport throughout the 2023 Canada Games, February 18 - March 5, 2023.
It’s only fitting that boxing occurred during Week Two of this year’s Canada Winter Games, coinciding with Women’s History Month, which runs the month of March.
Team Alberta’s figure skater, Lia Cho, is this year’s youngest athlete at Canada Winter Games. She is only 10 years old and stands just over four rulers high.
For the first time in Canada Games history, medals will be awarded in mixed doubles curling. The event made its historic debut this week at the Montague Curling Club.
On day 13 of the 2023 Canada Winter Games, the host province, Prince Edward Island, landed on the podium for the first time. Lucas Macdonald of Stratford, claimed the silver medal in the Men’s +81 kg Judo division Thursday afternoon.
Chants of “Novaaa Scotiaaa” echoed throughout Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre in Charlottetown as proud fans watched Ritu Shah and Thomas Ashton add two silver medals to Team Nova Scotia’s growing medal count.
When people speak of the legacy of the 2023 Canada Winter Games the conversation usually focuses on two things, the lifelong memories people take away from the Games and the new sports facilities the Games leave behind.
At the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta’s Evelyn Beaton took home a gold medal for the individual female - 44 kg Judo division.
Sport and competition often draw metaphoric comparisons to life. For PEI’s Crawford family, it’s remarkable how a sport with a tiny target has brought life’s bigger picture into clear view.Sport and competition often draw metaphoric comparisons to life. For PEI’s Crawford family, it’s remarkable how a sport with a tiny target has brought life’s bigger picture into clear view.
Sporting bright green and blue uniforms, the PEI 2023 volunteers are a dedicated and committed group, intent on making sure the Games provide the best possible experience for the young athletes representing their respective provinces and territories.