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The Canada 55+ Games is a nation-wide program to sponsor wellness – that is, the spiritual, mental and physical well being – among Canadians 55 years of age and older. Provincial programs are staged annually in different provinces and territories. The first national Games were held in Regina in 1996. The Games should not be categorized as sporting events, as they span a wide range of physical and mental challenges, from Slow-pitch Softball to Contract Bridge, from Darts to Lawn Bowling, and from Snooker to Track and Field . These events bring together amateur competitors who participate for the sheer joy of competition, for the opportunity to visit other parts of Canada, and for the camaraderie and social interaction that are an integral and essential part of the Games.

The Games bring together relatively small groups, representing their respective provinces or territories. These groups earn the right as a result of competition against thousands of other seniors in their home province or territory. The 1,500 or so who compete in the Games represent over 100,000 Canadian seniors who actively participate in local events leading up to the national games.