That’s Miss Canada to You

A review of this day in history reveals that in 1661, female actors appeared on an English stage for the first time – undoubtedly a step in the right direction. A mere 331 years later, we decided it was time to get our own women off the stage – the pageant stage that is. Miss Canada pageant organizers cancelled the contest 46 years after its modest beginning as a swimsuit competition held in Hamilton, Ont. It would become more than just a battle of bathing beauties with 40 young, single women, a blur in matching evening wear, judged on poise, personality and, of course, talent – passing the baton indeed.

It is reported that pageant producers cited financial woes for its ruin. It seems sponsors had lost their appetite for the televised event. Detractors cheered the end of what they considered an out-dated and sexist spectacle while supporters feared the loss of a national observance. The moral of the story is you can’t keep a good woman down – or can you? Miss Canada International filled the void the very next year after Miss Canada captured her final crown, ensuring our place at the Miss Universe contest. Competition being what it is, the rights to send a Canadian Miss Universe contender was later won by MissUniverse Canada, a BOC production. Who is BOC? The Beauties of Canada Organization – who else?!