Miss Universe Canada, previously held in Montreal, took place for the first time at the Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, in 2008. The ten-day event in April selects the Canadian representative who will go to the annual Miss Universe pageant later in the year. Canada is one of four countries who have competed in each MIss Universe contest since it's beginning in 1952.
More than sixty delegates from throughout Canada compete for the title of Miss Universe Canada. The women, all of whom are Canadian citizens, are at least 18 years of age and under 27 years of age. There are two separate audience events. There is a Pageant Presentation Show with all delegates competing before eleven judges in Swimwear and Evening Gown categories for the selection of semi-finalists. In the Pageant Finals Show, a few days later, twenty semi-finalists compete in front of the same judges, again in traditional Swimwear and Evening Gown competitions, plus they answer questions in a personal interview. Several production numbers involve all the delegates, not just the semi-finalists.
Miss Universe Canada serves as Ambassador for the SOS Children's Villages in Canada, a member of the international SOS Children's Villages, the world's largest charity for orphaned and abandoned children. The title holder also attends numerous events and assists with various charities around Canada, and often travels to underdeveloped countries to create awareness for the needs of children in that country.
The "Beauties of Canada' organization created 'Miss Universe Canada' in 2003 to replace the previous Miss Canada contest which previously had sent contestants to the Miss Universe pageant. The first winner of the new contest, Leanne Marie Cecile, went on to place as a top-ten finalist in Miss Universe 2003. Two years later, Toronto's Natalie Glebova won Miss Universe 2005; the following year, Alice Panikian, also of Toronto, finished sixth.
