News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Christopher Golden, of Tracy, will be Team New Brunswick’s flag-bearer and Marlène Boissonnault, of Dundee, will serve as the team’s lantern-bearer at the official opening ceremonies of the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

Healthy and Inclusive Communities Minister Cathy Rogers made the announcement today at the legislative assembly. The 2015 Games take place Feb. 13 to March 1 in Prince George, B.C.

“The Canada Games will be a wonderful experience for our athletes and one I am sure they will treasure,” said Rogers. “I wish Team New Brunswick great success at the games.”

Golden, 20, a member of the archery team and a member of the Sussex Golden Arrows Archery Club, will lead the New Brunswick delegation into CN Centre, site of the opening ceremonies. Golden is a three-time Team New Brunswick athlete, participating in the 2007 and 2011 Canada Winter Games. His achievements include placing first in field, second in target at the 2010 and 2011 Canadian Outdoor Nationals and third in 2013.

Boissonnault, 17, a member of the women’s hockey team and a student at Rothesay Netherwood School, will carry the team’s lantern to assist in the lighting of the Canada Games cauldron. Boissonnault recently backstopped Canada’s National Women’s Under 18 hockey team to a silver medal at the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship.

The lantern-bearer is a new feature of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. All provinces and territories will designate a person to carry a railway lantern into the opening ceremonies to light the Canada Games cauldron. The lantern symbolizes the unity of the country through rail and highlights an important part of the industry and history of the City of Prince George, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Members of Team New Brunswick depart Thursday, Feb. 12, for Prince George with competition commencing Saturday, Feb. 14. Team New Brunswick will be represented by 205 athletes, 60 coaches, managers and technical staff and 16 mission team members.

Sports on the competition calendar for New Brunswick include alpine skiing, archery, gymnastics, badminton, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, hockey, judo, ringette, target shooting, speedskating, synchronized swimming, squash and wheelchair basketball.

The Canada Games are a national multi-sport competition with participation from every province and territory. They are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer. The 2015 Canada Winter Games will bring together about 3,000 athletes, coaches and managers.