Victoria, BC – May 19, 2026 – Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is thrilled to confirm that rowing has been included in the final sport program for the 2029 Canada Summer Games, which will be co-hosted by the City of Moncton and the Saint John Region in New Brunswick.

The Canada Games Council (CGC) today announced the complete 17-sport program for the 2029 edition, with rowing proudly among the disciplines selected. The Canada Games represent a cornerstone of Canada’s sport development system, bringing together up to 4,600 athletes, coaches, and managers from every province and territory to compete on a national stage.

“Rowing is a late entry sport, and Saint John hosting the 1985 Canada Games was the catalyst for my lifelong passion as an athlete, coach, and administrator. With New Brunswick’s rich rowing history, I’ve seen thousands of athletes gain the opportunity to compete; some locally, others internationally for Canada. All have learned teamwork, dedication, and hard work, while gaining a deeper respect for the natural environment we train and compete on,” shares John Oxley, Canada Games athlete (1985), Canada Games coach (1989, 2022).

For rowing, the Canada Games serve as an important step in the athlete development pathway. They offer young rowers, many competing in their first major multi-sport event, the opportunity to represent their province, experience high-performance competition environments, and build toward future national and international success.

“The inclusion of rowing in the 2029 program is a testament to the strength of the sport across the country and the continued commitment of provincial rowing associations to developing the next generation of Canadian rowers,” shares RCA Interim Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Fitzpatrick.  “A tremendous amount of collaboration and advocacy went into securing rowing’s return to the Games, and RCA looks forward to working with provincial partners and the Host Society to deliver an outstanding rowing competition in New Brunswick.”

The 2029 Canada Summer Games will mark the third time the province has hosted the event, following the 1985 Canada Summer Games in Saint John and the 2003 Canada Winter Games in Bathurst-Campbellton. Exact competition dates and venue details are expected to be announced in the coming months.

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About Rowing Canada Aviron
Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is a non-profit organization recognized by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of rowing in Canada. RCA represents registered members of all levels and ages across Canada, whether they row for recreation, health and fitness or competition.
 
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MEDIA CONTACTS: 
Colleen Coderre, Communications Lead 
Rowing Canada Aviron 
T: 613-530-6217 
E: coderre@rowingcanada.org 

Cassie Turkstra, Communications Coordinator
Rowing Canada Aviron
E: cturkstra@rowingcanada.org