Hey guys, a whole different possible angle just occurred to me about team #8 from looking at them again. Notice a pattern in casting, each year they cast somebody relevant to something that was a big deal in the past year:
-2014: Canada's women win Gold in Olympic hockey. We then get Natalie & Meaghan, two of the team members, in S2
-2015: Jenner brings the transgender issue to the forefront. We then get Hamilton in S3
-Fall 2015: Ashley Callingbull becomes the first First Nations Mrs. Universe winner, and uses the spotlight to lead a high-profile campaign for aboriginal rights, urging them to vote against Stephen Harper. She is then cast in S4
One of the big things this past year has been the Syrian refugees (citizens and permanent residents are also eligible). And they appear to be of the minority.
WindsorSue also reminded me that in the fall, Mike Bickerton tweeted about casting a team whose audition was "so good, he has no choice but to put them on", I do remember this tweet. I wouldn't put it past Bick, his casting has historically shown he likes people with something unique and inspiring to them.