Canada, which is represented by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), has competed at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico from October 14 to 30, 2011. The Canadian team was made up of 492 athletes, the most ever for a non-home Games. On the team all ten provinces and the Northwest Territories are represented. Some sports such as wrestling have sent their strongest team, however sports which offer the most medals have sent for the most part a developmental team. Table Tennis player Anqi Luo was Canada's youngest athlete at the Games while Equestrian athlete Ian Millar was Canada's eldest athlete competing in Guadalajara. Canada has competed in 35 out of the 36 sports on the program. On October 4, 2011, women's football star Christine Sinclair was selected to carry the flag during the opening ceremony. The chef de mission was Jacques Cardyn and the assistant chef de mission was Curt Harnett.

The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games, was an international multi-sport event held from October 14–30, 2011, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Some events were held in the nearby cities of Ciudad Guzmán, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno and Tapalpa. It was the largest multi-sport event of 2011, with approximately 6,000 athletes from 42 nations participating in 36 sports. Both the Pan American and Parapan American Games were organized by the Guadalajara 2011 Organizing Committee (COPAG). The 2011 Pan American Games were the third Pan American Games hosted by Mexico and the first held in the state of Jalisco. Previously, Mexico hosted the 1955 Pan American Games and the 1975 Pan American Games, both in Mexico City. The 2011 Parapan American Games were held 20 days after the Pan American Games had ended.