The Amazing Race Canada 9 is the ninth season of The Amazing Race Canada, a Canadian reality competition show based on the American series The Amazing Race. Hosted by Jon Montgomery, it featured ten teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, in a race across Canada. The grand prize included a CA$250,000 cash payout powered by Samsung, a trip for two around the world, and two Chevrolet Colorado ZR2s.[1] This season visited six provinces and travelled over 12,000 kilometres (7,500 mi) during ten legs. Starting in Winnipeg, racers travelled through Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia before finishing in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A new twist introduced in this season was the Assist, which allowed teams to only perform part of select tasks. The season premiered on CTV on July 4, 2023 and concluded on September 19, 2023.[2][3]
Dating couple Ty Smith and Kat Kastner were the winners of this season, while dating couple Tyler Turner and Kayleen Vanderee finished in second place, and friends Ben Chutta and Anwar Ahmed finished in third place.
On November 28, 2022, CTV announced the renewal of the show for a ninth season.[4][5] Filming for the season was listed as occurring during Spring 2023.[6] Following the 11th Canadian Screen Awards on April 12, 2023, producer Mark Lysakowski announced that filming would begin during the next week.[7]
This season introduced a new twist called the Assist. Given to each team at the start of the season, teams could use the Assist in select challenges through the sixth leg and only have to perform part of the challenge.
Casting
Casting for the ninth season opened on November 28, 2022.[5] Casting was initially set to close on January 6, 2023, but was extended to January 8, 2023.[17][18]
The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.
A red placement with a dagger (†) indicates that the team was eliminated.
An underlined blue placement with a double-dagger (‡) indicates that the team was the last to arrive at a Pit Stop in a non-elimination leg, and had to perform a Speed Bump task in the following leg.
An italicized and underlined placement indicates that the team was the last to arrive, but there was no rest period at the Pit Stop and all teams were instructed to continue racing. There was no required Speed Bump task in the next leg.
A green α indicates that the team used the Assist during the leg.
A teal х indicates that the leg featured a Face Off challenge.
A purple ε indicates that the team used an Express Pass on that leg to bypass one of their tasks.
A brown ∈ indicates that the team used the Pass and a brown ∋ indicates the team on the receiving end of the Pass.
Notes
^ a b cThis leg featured a Face Off challenge.
^ a bDerek & Jaspal chose to use the Pass on Ty & Kat.
^ a b cThis team used their Express Pass to bypass one of the tasks on this leg.
^ a b c d e f gThis team used the Assist on this leg.
^ a bBen & Anwar chose to use the Pass on Gracie & Lily.
^ a bDeven & Amanda and Jermaine & Justin tied for 4th place after both teams stepped on the Pit Stop mat at the same time.
^Jermaine & Justin initially arrived 5th, but were issued a 6-hour penalty after failing to complete the Roadblock and the wedding table challenge. Three teams checked in during this penalty time, dropping Jermaine & Justin to 8th.
^This team arrived last at the Pit Stop, but they were instructed to continue racing.
Race summary
The route map of The Amazing Race Canada 9.
Leg 1 (Manitoba → Alberta)
The first leg of The Amazing Race Canada 9 concluded in Calgary at the Peace Bridge.
Episode 1: "I Hate Pancakes" (July 4, 2023)
Prize: A trip for two to Berlin, Germany (awarded to Ty & Kat)
After running across the Esplanade Riel to their first clue, teams had to travel to the Qaumajuq Visible Vault at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. There, teams had to choose an artwork title and search among 5,000 pieces of Inuit art for their chosen sculpture. They then had to enter the locator number into the museum database to find the name of their sculpture's artist in order to receive their next clue.
At the Fast Air Jet Centre of Winnipeg's airport, teams had to sign up for one of two flights, each carrying five teams, to Calgary, Alberta. Once there, teams had to search outside of the airport for their next clue.
In this season's first Roadblock, one team member had to rappel face-first down the exterior of the Calgary Central Library and look for three yellow flags attached to the building with the name of their next destination – Betty Lou's Library – in order to receive their next clue. Teams also had the option of searching a section of the library for a book marked with an Amazing Race flag containing three Express Passes. Ty & Kat found the Express Passes.
After the Roadblock, teams had to say a secret code to enter Betty Lou's Library, a 1920s-themed speakeasy, and use the Nightography feature of a smartphone to photograph their next clue.
This season's first Detour was a choice between Batter or Beat. In Batter, one team member had to memorize six Calgary Stampede pancake orders, and the other team member had to make the pancakes. After the order was taken, the guests switched tables and seats, and teams had to serve the correct people and pancakes in order to receive their next clue. In Beat, teams were taught a call and response drumming technique. Teams then joined a drum circle, and team members had to perform the beat sequence in sync with each other in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: the Peace Bridge.
Smithers (The Sausage Factory & Smithers Brewing Co. or Nature's Pantry & Two Sisters Cafe)
Smithers (Jollymore Ranch)
Episode summary
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Smithers, British Columbia. Teams first had to sign up for one of two flights, carrying four and five teams respectively, at Calgary International Airport. After landing, teams had to search for a marked truck at the airport, which contained their next clue, instructing them to drive to the Frontier Experience Lodge. There, teams had to retrieve ten different species of artificial fish in order to receive their next clue.
Teams had to listen to CICK-FM to learn that they had to drive to the Bulkley Valley Museum, where they found their next clue. Team members had to write the answers to five questions specific to each team by Jon Montgomery on a smartphone. If teams matched three answers, then Jon gave them their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to memorize 20 features of a second generation Chevrolet Trax and then perform a vehicle introduction to a buyer in order to receive their next clue.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Stuff or Fold. In Stuff, teams had to use a hand-operated sausage maker to make 12 sausages links. Then, they had to travel by horse-drawn carriage to Smithers Brewing Co. and deliver the sausages in order to receive their next clue. In Fold, teams had to fold an egg carton based on the design from inventor and Smithers native Joseph Coyle. Then, they had to travel by horse-drawn carriage to Two Sisters Cafe and deliver their eggs intact in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: the Jollymore Ranch.
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Vancouver. Once there, teams had to travel to Queen Elizabeth Park and sign up for one of two buses, each carrying four teams, to Whistler. In Whistler, teams found their next clue by the village's inuksuk.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Woods or Water. In Woods, teams had to travel to the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre and memorize ten plaques with words in Squamish and Lil'Wat. Teams then had to place the correct Squamish and Lil'Wat translations beneath the English words on a board in order to receive their next clue. In Water, teams had to travel to Scandinave Spa and choose a coloured tile with partial lettering. They then had to memorize two additional tiles in a cold pool and a hot pool and combine the three tiles to form a spa-related word in order to receive their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to perform a 160-foot (49 m) bungee jump and record a phrase – "Will you marry me?" – with a smartphone in order to receive their next clue.
After the Roadblock, teams found their next clue at the Riverlands Equestrian Facility. There, one team member had to memorize a 130-piece wedding table setting and then direct their partner to recreate the table setting in order to receive their next clue. After driving to Big Sky Golf Club, teams had to search through more than 600 golf balls for two with their team names. After finding the balls, teams could check in at the Pit Stop at the 17th hole. If teams used the Assist, then they only had to find one ball. Jermaine & Justin used their Assist.
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to drive to the Cowichan Valley, with an intermediate ferry ride, and find their next clue at the Malahat SkyWalk. There, teams had to book an overnight hotel and tickets to the skywalk for the next morning using a mobile app. Teams then had to use a smartphone to photograph ten driftwood sculptures in order to receive their next clue.
For their Speed Bump, Jermaine & Justin had to drive to the Victoria Bug Zoo and eat a pint of ice cream while tarantulas crawled on their arms before they could continue racing.
For this season's first Face Off, two teams had to compete against each other and assemble a bell tent with assistance from the Canadian-Scottish regiment at Colville Park Sports Field. The first team to finish received their next clue, while the losing team had to wait for another team. The last team remaining at the Face Off had to wait out a time penalty before moving on.
After the Face Off, teams had to drive to Sooke Harbour, where one team member had to use a standup paddleboard to retrieve three luggage tags associated with a specific vacation while their partner directed them in order to receive their next clue directing them to the Pit Stop: Whiffin Spit in Sooke.
Leg 5 (British Columbia)
One Detour option in Tofino had teams searching sandcastles at South Chesterman Beach for a sand dollar.
Episode 5: "This is Not a Hot Girl Moment" (August 1, 2023)
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to sign up for one of two buses to Ucluelet. At the town's harbour, teams found their next clue instructing them to drive to the Hotel Zed, where they received a Tarot card reading before receiving their next clue.
Teams had to drive to Ukee Ice Manufacturing Company, where they had to load between 75 and 80 pounds of ice. Teams then had to deliver the ice to one of four locations and return to the ice company in order to receive their next clue frozen in an ice block.
Teams had to drive to Little Beach, where one team member had to don a wetsuit and dive into the Pacific Ocean to retrieve three ingredients for an energy drink in order to receive their next clue. Teams then had to drive to Tacofino in order to find their next clue.
This leg's Detour was a choice between By Sand or By Sea. In By Sand, teams had to drive to South Chesterman Beach and search more than 300 sandcastles for a marked sand dollar in order to receive their next clue. If a sandcastle didn't have a sand dollar, teams had to rebuild it before they could search another. In By Sea, teams had to drive to Naas Foods and take a boat to Clayoquot Sound, where they had to harvest 20 kilograms of kelp in order to receive their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to perform an aerial dance consisting of nine poses while hanging from Sitka spruce trees in order to receive their next clue. If racers used the Assist, then they only had to perform the final five poses. Tyler & Kayleen and Gracie & Lily used their Assist.
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Toronto, Ontario. Once there, teams found their next clue on a marked car instructing them to drive themselves to Salem Chapel, where they learned about the history of church member Harriet Tubman before receiving their next clue.
In this leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to assemble and disassemble a V8 engine head within two minutes and ten seconds in order to receive their next clue. Ben & Anwar and Tyler & Kayleen used their Express Passes to bypass this Roadblock.
This leg's Detour was a Blind Detour, where teams only learned about the task once they reached its location, and was a choice between Here or There. In Here, teams had to recreate three flower bouquets and record a 360° video of the bouquets on a smartphone in order to receive their next clue. In There, teams had to row a double scull along a 200-metre (660 ft) course on the Welland Canal within two minutes in order to receive their next clue. Ty & Kat used their Express Pass to bypass this Detour.
In this leg's second Roadblock, the team member who did not perform the previous Roadblock had to fill a grape harvester with water, drive the harvester across the winery, and fill two troughs with water. If racers used the Assist, then they only had to fill one trough. Ben & Anwar, Derek & Jaspal, Devin & Amanda, and Ty & Kat used their Assist.
After driving to 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa, teams had to smell and match six wines to their flavours in order to receive their next clue directing them to the Pit Stop: Fort Mississauga in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Additional note
There was no elimination at the end of this leg; all teams were instead instructed to continue racing.
After being informed at the previous Pit Stop that they were still racing, the remaining teams were asked trivia questions related to previous legs by Jon before boarding a bus to Toronto. The last team with a correct answer received the final spot on the earlier of two trains to their next destination: Windsor, Ontario. Once there, teams found their next clue inside a marked vehicle at the train station.
At Adventure Bay Water Park, teams had to search in the water slides and around the park for three different coloured rubber ducks, which they could exchange for their next clue. The first team to complete this task won an additional $5,000. Tyler & Kayleen won this prize.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Sculpt or Swing. In Sculpt, teams had to assemble magnetic pieces in order to form a replica of Windsor Sculpture Park's Salutation sculpture before receiving their next clue. In Swing, teams had to don 1920s period dress and perform a two-minute swing dance routine in order to receive their next clue.
For this leg's Face Off, two teams had to compete against each other in a game of No Limit Texas Hold' em. Each team member received two cards, with which they could either raise, call, or fold. The team who won the most chips in ten hands received their next clue, while the losing team had to wait for another team. The last team remaining at the Face Off had to wait out a time penalty before moving on.
After the Face Off, teams had to drive to Port Alma Wind Farm. There, one team member had to climb the inside of a wind turbine to find a conversion chart of kilowatt outputs. Using this information, they then had to correctly solve a mathematical formula to determine how many homes a single turbine can power in a 24-hour period in order to receive their next clue directing them to the Pit Stop: Point Pelee National Park.
Leg 8 (Ontario → Quebec)
Teams travelled to the Pont d'aluminium d'Arvida in Saguenay, Quebec.
Episode 8: "I Should Have Made Snowmen" (August 29, 2023)
Prize: A trip for two to Valparaíso, Chile (awarded to Tyler & Kayleen)
Saguenay (Chicoutimi – La Pulperie de Chicoutimi (in French))
Episode summary
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to travel to Saguenay, Quebec. Once there, teams had to search a marked truck outside of the airport for their next clue, which directed them to travel to the Rio TintoArvida Research and Development Centre. There, teams had to use a digital microscope to find a nano-sized French word engraved on a piece of aluminum in order to receive their next clue.
This season's final Detour was a choice between Snow or Go. In Snow, teams would have entered a walk-in freezer full of snow, where they would have had to recreate a piece of snowmen artwork using stencils and spray paint in order to receive their next clue. In Go, one team member had to drive a go-kart around a track in exactly one minute while being coached by their partner in order to receive their next clue. All teams chose to drive go-karts.
After the Detour, teams had to drive to the Pont d'aluminium d'Arvida in order to find their next clue. Teams then had to drive to the Centre Plein Air Bec-Scie and carry a tourtière through an obstacle course in order to receive their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to navigate a via ferrata above the Saguenay River and memorize the key for an alpha-numeric code. Teams then had to decipher a series of numbers in order to form the name of the next Pit Stop: LA PULPERIE.
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to travel to Toronto, Ontario. First, teams had to fly to Montreal and find a marked Via Rail counter at the Montreal Central Station in order to obtain tickets for one of two trains to Union Station. Once there, teams had to travel to the Toronto Stock Exchange and then wait to ring the opening bell with Jon the next morning before receiving their next clue. Teams left the stock exchange in the order that they arrived the previous night.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to use a mechanical ascender to climb to the top of a 90-foot (27 m) pillar at OCAD University, retrieve their next clue, and rappel back down to their partner.
For this season's final Face Off, two teams had to compete against each other in a best-of-five games of tennis. The team who won three games received their next clue, while the losing team had to wait for another team. The last team remaining at the Face Off had to wait out a time penalty before moving on.
Episode summary (Episode 10)
After the Face Off, teams had to travel to the Immersion Room, dress as astronauts, and memorize a script for an alien encounter written in an alien language. Teams then had to perform without error and then take a selfie with the alien in order to receive their next clue.
After the alien language task, teams had to travel to the Fika Cafe at Kensington Market in order to find their next clue. Teams then had to find five marked stores in the market and surrounding neighbourhoods and purchase one food item written on a list at each store. After purchasing specified channa dal, kimchi, plantains, white sesame, and cactus leaves, teams had to deliver them to the cafe in order to receive their next clue directing them to the Pit Stop: Sunnyside Beach.
At the start of the leg, teams were instructed to fly to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Once there, teams found their next clue at Fisherman's Cove.
In this leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to board a RCAF CH-148 Cyclone helicopter and direct a pilot to drop a payload onto a target within five minutes in order to receive their next clue.
After the first Roadblock, teams had to travel to a Staples store and find a marked kiosk in order to receive a smartphone with a photograph of the location of their next clue: the ferry at the DartmouthAlderney Ferry Terminal. Teams then had to travel to Woozles Bookstore, memorize three children's books, and arrange photographs from the books in chronological order in order to receive their next clue sending them to the Grand Parade. There, teams took part in a Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and had to perform three dances – a Highland dance, a fancy shawl dance, and a Punjabibanghra – in order to receive their next clue sending them to Sea Halifax.
In this season's final Roadblock, the team member who did not perform the previous Roadblock had to drive a personal watercraft through a slalom course off of Georges Island and retrieve a zebra split swim ring within 75 seconds in order to receive their next clue.
After the second Roadblock, teams had to travel to Queen's Marque and complete a 25-word crossword puzzle based on previous legs in order to receive their final clue directing them to the finish line: the Bonaventure Anchor.
Ratings
The ninth season of The Amazing Race Canada was the top rated Canadian original program of 2023 with an average viewership of 1.72 million.[22][23]
References
^ a b"CTV's THE AMAZING RACE CANADA Welcomes Season 9 Partners and Grand Prize Sponsors". Bell Media. June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
^"CTV's The Amazing Race Canada Season 9 to Premiere in July 2023". Premiere Date. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
^ a b"On Your Mark, Canada! All 10 Teams Revealed for Season 9 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, Beginning July 4 on CTV". Bell Media. June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
^"CTV Orders Season 9 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA with Nationwide Casting Now Open". The Lede - Bell Media (Press release). November 28, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
^ a b"CTV Orders Season 9 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA with Nationwide Casting Now Open". Yahoo! Finance. November 28, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
^Chai, Daniel (November 28, 2022). ""The Amazing Race Canada" is casting season 9 and here's how to apply". Daily Hive. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
^@mlysakow (April 12, 2023). "What a great end to the longest season in @amazingracecda history!". Retrieved April 15, 2023 – via Instagram.
^Brioux, Bill (July 4, 2023). "The Amazing Race Canada back for 9th summer run". brioux.tv. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
^Wilkinson, Nick (April 23, 2023). "Gail Kim And Gisele Shaw Filming The Amazing Race Canada". Diva Dirt. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
^Flint, Logan (July 10, 2023). "Smithers in the spotlight for a reality TV series". CFBV. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
^Morneau, Ethan (April 18, 2023). "Local parks to close as 'popular TV series' films in Sooke". CHEK-DT. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
^Balsom, Mike (May 10, 2023). "Amazing Race Canada in Niagara for upcoming series". Niagara-on-the-Lake Local. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
^Balsom, Mike (August 9, 2023). "Amazing Race Canada in Niagara for upcoming series". Niagara-on-the-Lake Local. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
^Toronto Stock Exchange [@tsx_tsxv] (May 12, 2023). "Olympic gold medallist and host Jon Montgomery (@jonmonty) and the @AmazingRaceCDA crew joined us to open the market to celebrate its upcoming ninth season on @CTV" (Tweet). Retrieved May 12, 2023 – via Twitter.
^Mitropoulos, Marcus (May 12, 2023). "Reality show crew bowls over pedestrians while filming in busy Toronto neighbourhood". blogTO. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
^"This Nova Scotia Seaside Village Is A Destination In The Upcoming Season Of The Amazing Race Canada". Nova Scotia Buzz. May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
^The Amazing Race Canada [@AmazingRaceCDA] (December 22, 2022). "The #AmazingRaceCanada is on the search for Canada's most adventurous duos. Tag your adventure buddy!!! It's time to travel this country like you've never seen before. Season 9 casting closes January 6th!" (Tweet). Retrieved March 24, 2023 – via Twitter.
^The Amazing Race Canada [@AmazingRaceCDA] (January 5, 2023). "Season 9 casting deadline has been extended! There's still time to get your #AmazingRaceCanada application in with casting extended for one final weekend! Applications are now due Sunday, January 8 at 11:59pm PST" (Tweet). Retrieved March 24, 2023 – via Twitter.
^Disney Studios [@DisneyStudiosCA] (July 25, 2023). "Canada! Tune into @AmazingRaceCDA tonight at 9/8c on CTV to see the racers compete in a #HauntedMansion themed challenge, before the movie hits theatres this Friday!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
^Volmers, Eric (June 21, 2023). "Broncos bus crash survivor, Indigenous actors among Alberta participants in Amazing Race Canada". Calgary Herald. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
^"Betrayal is Back in Season: CTV Original Reality Series THE TRAITORS CANADA Returns September 23". Bell Media. September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
^"CTV Orders Landmark 10th Season of #1 Canadian Original Series and Most-Watched Summer Series THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, Ahead of Tonight's Season 9 Finale". Bell Media. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
^Townsend, Kelly (January 15, 2024). "Broadcasters reveal top-rated Canadian shows for 2023". Media in Canada. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
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Winnipeg (Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport) → Calgary, Alberta (Calgary International Airport)
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Vancouver (Queen Elizabeth Park) → Whistler (Inuksuk)
West Vancouver → Nanaimo
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Toronto → Windsor (Windsor Station)
