About Canada C3

“Canada C3 was a celebratory and transformational expedition for all Canadians. It is a journey that sparked and captivated our imagination and lead to a greater awareness and deeper understanding of our country, its vastness, beauty and the enormity of opportunities ahead of us. Canada C3 instilled in us a lasting sense of pride and inspired the next generation of Canadians to make their contributions to Canada and the world.”

– Geoff Green, Founder of the Students on Ice Foundation and Expedition Leader for Canada C3

Canada C3 is a signature project for Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017. The centrepiece is an epic 150-day sailing journey from Toronto to Victoria via the Northwest Passage that is connecting Canadians from coast to coast to coast and inspiring a deeper understanding of our land, our peoples and the past, present and future of our country.

300 Canadians – 150 days – Three Coasts

The expedition was divided into 15 legs and had a cross-section of Canadian society on board, including scientists, artists, Indigenous Elders, historians, community leaders, youth, journalists and educators. These diverse and accomplished Canadians are connecting with communities, conducting research, creating art and music and together celebrating Canada.

Connecting Canadians

Over the course of the 150-day journey, the Canada C3 team and participants onboard provided a lens through which Canadians can experience our country’s coastline. Through the power of multimedia and digital platforms, we shared the stories of people we met en route and engaged the voices of all Canadians in national discussions covering Canada C3’s key themes: Diversity and Inclusion, Reconciliation, Youth Engagement and the Environment.

The Canada C3 project is an initiative of the Students on Ice Foundation (SOI).

Since 2000, SOI has led more than 30 educational expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, and is an internationally acclaimed leader in polar education and youth engagement. Over 2,500 students from 52 countries have experienced a polar region with SOI and these alumni continue to make a positive impact in their communities around the world.