1961 in Canada
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See also: 1960 in Canada, other events of 1961, 1962 in Canada and the Timeline of Canadian history.
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Incumbents
- Premier of Alberta - Ernest Manning
- Premier of British Columbia - W.A.C. Bennett
- Premier of Manitoba - Duff Roblin
- Premier of New Brunswick - Louis Robichaud
- Premier of Newfoundland - Joey Smallwood
- Premier of Nova Scotia - Robert Stanfield
- Premier of Ontario - Leslie Frost then John Robarts
- Premier of Prince Edward Island - Walter Shaw
- Premier of Quebec - Jean Lesage
- Premier of Saskatchewan - Tommy Douglas then Woodrow Lloyd
Events
- February 3 - The Canadian Bank of Commerce and the Imperial Bank of Canada merge to form CIBC
- June 1 - The 1961 Canadian census finds Canada has a population of 18 238 247
- June 6 - CUSO is formed
- June 13 - The NCC study of Ottawa's new Green Belt is completed
- June 14 - James Elliott Coyne, the Governor of the Bank of Canada resigns due to disagreements with the federal government's fiscal policies
- August 3 - Tommy Douglas is elected leader of the newly formed NDP
- August 14 - 15 - The Premiers meet in Charlottetown
- November 7 - Woodrow Lloyd becomes premier of Saskatchewan, replacing Tommy Douglas
- November 8 - John Robarts becomes premier of Ontario, replacing Leslie Frost
- November 17 - Saksatchewan passes a bill creating Canada's first government run health system
- December 28 - Canada's first BOMARC Missile squadron is formed
- The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation becomes the New Democratic Party
- The Massey Lectures are created
- The new home for the Hockey Hall of Fame opens in Toronto
- CTV is founded
Arts and Literature
- New Books
- Morley Callaghan - A Passion in Rome
- Max Aitken - Courage
- Margaret Atwood - Double Persephone
- Farley Mowat - Owls in the Family
- Awards
- See 1961 Governor General's Awards for a complete list of winners and finalists for those awards.
- Stephen Leacock Award: Norman Ward, Mice in the Beer
Births
- January 1 - Wendy Baker, former Canadian field hockey goalkeeper
- January 18 - Mark Messier, hockey player
- January 26 - Wayne Gretzky, hockey player
- January 27 - Tony Clement, politician
- February 21 - Paul Edwards, Manitoba politician
- March 16 - Todd McFarlane, comic book artist
- April 6 - Gene Eugene, actor and musician
- April 10 - Barb Tarbox, activist
- May 1 - Clint Malarchuk, hockey goalie
- May 8 - Greg Thomey, comedian
- May 9 - Darren Praznik, Manitoba politician
- May 27 - Northern Dancer, race horse
- May 31 - Corey Hart, singer
- June 1 - Paul Coffey, hockey player
- June 9 - Michael J. Fox, actor
- July 1 - Michelle Wright, singer
- July 12 - Camilla Scott, actor
- July 26 - Alan Lowe, politician
- August 25 - Marie Saint Pierre, fashion designer
- August 25 - Dave Tippett, hockey player and coach
- September 12 - Mylène Farmer, musician
- September 24 - Nancy Garapick, swimmer
- September 30 - Erica Ehm, vj and tv actor
- November 2 - k.d. lang, singer/songwriter
- December 8 - André Bachand, politician
- December 10 - Mark McKoy, Olympic athlete
- December 18 - Brian Orser, figure skater
- December 30 - Ben Johnson, sprinter
- December 31 - Douglas Coupland, writer
Deaths
- July 12 - Mazo de la Roche, artist
- July 15 - John E. Brownlee, Premier of Alberta