February 11 – 19, 1967

Summary

The first Canada Games succeeded because the Quebec City people at the helm for this maiden voyage absolutely insisted they must. Events which could have been calamities were transformed into triumphs, adversities were converted into adventures, and a special joie de vivre attended these games that infected the whole enterprise. Without the success of these first Games, however, it would have been doubtful that the Canada Games program would ever have continued. These Games were a showcase for future stars, such as Toller Cranston who won gold in figure skating and gymnast Teresa McDonell who went on to compete in three consecutive Olympic Games. For the record, in the end, the team from Ontario came out with the most total points and won the first ever Canada Games flag.  

Highlights

Two Inuvik skiers, Janet Tourrangeau and Anita Allen, won gold and silver respectively in cross-country skiing for the Northwest Territories, showing that they were not simply tourists. Alberta and Manitoba battled for speedskating honours and 19-year-old Doreen McCannell, a physical education student at the University of Manitoba took four gold medals. Paul Enoch skating for Alberta won three gold medals for his province.

Did you know?

• There was a snowstorm that dropped 76 cm of snow on Quebec City nearly crippling the Games. In the end due to some strategic planning the competitions didn’t skip a beat.
• A few hours prior to the opening ceremony officials were told that there was no torch. In a light panic organizing committee members created their own and it worked perfectly, lighting the Canada Games flame.
• On the morning of the opening day February 11, the temperature hovered around seven degrees Celsius and it was raining. Then one of our famous Canadian cold fronts swept in, and by early evening the mercury had dropped 40 degrees to minus 33.
• The theme for the 1967 Canada Games was "Unity Through Sport".

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