Niagara 2022’s Torch Relay program, presented by Canada Steamship Lines (CSL), will travel an initial leg on the CSL Welland along the St. Lawrence Seaway, before disembarking at the Welland Canal, where the torch will begin its journey across the Niagara Region 

October 6, 2021 (Niagara, Ont.) — On Wednesday, while standing in front of the Trillium Class bulk carrier CSL Welland at Lock 3, the Niagara 2022 Host Society, Canada Games Council, and Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) proudly unveiled their exciting plan for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games Torch Relay. With CSL acting as the program’s presenting sponsor, Niagara 2022’s Torch Relay will take a unique path from previous Games by travelling on the water — paying tribute to the historical significance of water as a means of transportation across Canada and through Niagara.

In keeping true with a time-honoured Canada Games tradition, the Roly McLenahan Torch’s journey will begin in late spring 2022 with a lighting ceremony in Ottawa, before heading to Montreal, where it will embark on the CSL Wellandat St. Lambert Lock and make its way to the Niagara Region via the St. Lawrence Seaway. Following its trek on water, the torch will then disembark from the ship at one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels, the Welland Canal, prior to visiting each of Niagara’s twelve municipalities (see below schedule) in the lead up to the 2022 Canada Games.

After its final leg of the land program is complete, the Roly McLenahan Torch will finally make its way to the Meridian Centre on August 6, 2022 for the Opening Ceremony, where it will ignite the Canada Games cauldron and officially commence the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.

“We can’t wait to bring to life our Niagara 2022 Torch Relay program and this unique vision that was only made possible thanks to CSL,” said Doug Hamilton, Board Chair of the Niagara 2022 Host Society. “Next summer’s Niagara 2022 Torch Relay will represent an invitation to our country and local Niagara community to join in the journey of the Games as we prepare for the arrival of the next generation of Canadian athletes to the Niagara Region for Canada’s largest multi-sport event.”

“CSL has been navigating the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes for over 100 years and this is truly a first for us. We are honoured that one of our ships will be the first torch bearing vessel in the history of the Canada Games, bringing energy and excitement along our waterways,” added Louis Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of The CSL Group. “We look forward to carrying this iconic symbol that brings hope, unity and determination to our young athletes and communities.”

“The Canada Games spark greatness across Canada by showcasing the best of our next generation of athletes and leaders,” said Dan Wilcock, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Games Council. “The Torch Relay provides that initial spark, which will inspire the nation en route to the 2022 Canada Summer Games, while paying homage to the historic waterways of Ontario and the Niagara Region.”

Niagara 2022 Torch Relay – Land Program Schedule

Date	Location	Date	Location
Saturday, June 25	Thorold	Saturday, July 16	Pelham
Sunday, June 26	Niagara Falls	Sunday, July 17	West Lincoln
Saturday, July 2	Fort Erie	Saturday, July 23	Grimsby
Sunday, July 3	Port Colborne	Sunday, July 24	Lincoln
Saturday, July 9	Wainfleet	Saturday, July 30	Niagara-on-the-Lake
Sunday, July 10	Welland	Sunday, July 31	St. Catharines

*NOTE: This schedule is tentative and subject to change

The CSL Welland, which will transport the Roly McLenahan Torch from Montreal to Niagara, is a 36,364 DWT Trillium Class bulk carrier currently operating on biodiesel made from a non-edible by-product of soybean oil. The vessel is part of a program to test second generation biofuel on eight CSL ships over the course of the 2021 navigation season – a first for the Great Lakes shipping industry. CSL Welland is also one the ships that has logged the most engine hours on biodiesel in the world.

About Canada Steamship Lines

Canada Steamship Lines is a division of The CSL Group, the largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships in the world. Based in Montreal with regional operations in St. Catharines, Halifax and Winnipeg, as well as in the United States, Australia and Europe, CSL delivers millions of tonnes of essential cargo annually for customers in the construction, steel, energy and agri-food sectors. Canada Steamship Lines vessels operate under Canada’s national flag and are fully crewed by Canadians.

About the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games

At the peak of Niagara’s boldest summer yet, more than 5,000 up-and-coming athletes, their coaches and support staff will gather to compete for the podium in Canada’s largest multi-sport event. From August 6 to 21, 2022, Niagara will surge stronger than ever on the national stage. The 2022 Games, made possible thanks to funding and support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Niagara Region, and the Canada Games Council, will give rise to new legacies of ambition, confidence, and compassion that will inspire generations to come.

For further information, visit us at niagara2022games.ca or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@2022canadagames).