Québec City has been named Canada’s Most Active Community for 2026, earning the $100,000 grand prize in the ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk following a month-long effort that delivered more than 600 physical activity and sport programs and events throughout June.

The national recognition follows an impressive community-wide campaign involving 118 local organizations and active groups, which offered a wide range of free and low-cost opportunities designed to encourage residents of all ages and abilities to get moving.

The ParticipACTION Community Challenge, now in its seventh year, encourages communities across Canada to promote physical activity throughout the month of June. This year’s challenge saw more than 385 communities, 2,200 organizations and active groups, and over 13,000 inclusive activities take place nationwide.

“Congratulations to Québec City and all of the provincial and territorial winners,” said Brian Torrance, President and CEO of ParticipACTION. “Increasing physical activity and sport participation throughout Canada’s communities is critical to building a healthier, stronger country, and we’re grateful to everyone who rallied their community and took part in the initiative.”

Québec City has consistently been one of the Community Challenge’s strongest participants, previously earning the title of Québec’s Most Active Community in both 2024 and 2025 before capturing the national title this year.

Mayor Bruno Marchand credited the achievement to the city’s long-standing commitment to accessible recreation and active living.

“We made a commitment to achieve this goal—and, together, we did,” said Marchand. “This recognition belongs to everyone in our community. It’s a shared achievement that reflects our commitment to supporting health through high-quality recreation facilities in every neighbourhood and year-round sport and physical activity gatherings for people of all interests.”

Since launching in 2019, the ParticipACTION Community Challenge has awarded $1.7 million to winning communities to support local physical activity and sport initiatives. In addition, ParticipACTION has distributed $7.8 million in grants to organizations across Canada to help create accessible opportunities for people to be active.

The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Canada’s Minister of Health, congratulated Québec City on its achievement, noting that increasing access to physical activity contributes to building healthier communities across the country.

In addition to the national winner, ParticipACTION recognized outstanding efforts from communities in every province and territory, awarding grants of $5,000 to $10,000 to support local initiatives.

Provincial and Territorial Winners

• Airdrie, Alberta
• Cranbrook, British Columbia
• Pinawa, Manitoba
• Miramichi, New Brunswick
• Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Hay River, Northwest Territories
• West Hants, Nova Scotia
• Kinngait, Nunavut
• Mississauga, Ontario
• Miltonvale Park, Prince Edward Island
• Ituna, Saskatchewan
• Whitehorse, Yukon

The Community Challenge showcased a diverse range of activities across Canada, including Indigenous drum dancing, sunrise hikes, community bike rides, gardening programs, wheelchair basketball tournaments, soccer events and school-based activities, highlighting the many ways Canadians can incorporate movement into everyday life.