May 9 - Gary Filmon becomes premier of Manitoba, replacing Howard Pawley
May 21 - The new National Gallery of Canada building opens in Ottawa
June 4 - The Canadian Heraldic Authority is established, with a mandate to grant armourial bearings to worthy Canadians and Canadian corporations. It is the first heraldic authority in the Commonwealth of Nations outside the United Kingdom.
August 9: Wayne Gretzky is traded to the Los Angeles Kings by the Edmonton Oilers with Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, the Los Angeles Kings 1989 First Round Draft Pick (later acquired by New Jersey Devils, who selected Jason Miller), 1991 (Martin Rucinsky), and 1993 (Nick Stajduhar) Entry Drafts and cash
September 22 - Prime Minister Brian Mulroney officially apologizes for the WWII internment of Japanese-Canadians
September 26 - Sprinter Ben Johnson is stripped of his Olympic gold medal and world record when he tests positive for steroids.