Conference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation
NEWS RELEASE – FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL MINISTERS ADVANCE ACTIONS TO SUPPORT SPORT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY WEIGHTS
Sherbrooke, Quebec August 2, 2013 – Today federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation reaffirmed the importance of these sectors in the lives of Canadians and agreed to take action in a number of areas at their annual meeting held August 1- 2 in Sherbrooke, QC. They also highlighted the high quality of the organization and facilities in place for the 2013 Canada Summer Games which will be taking place in Sherbrooke over the next two weeks and are sure to be action-packed.
Ministers were pleased with the progress of activities over the past year in support of the 2012 Canadian Sport Policy (CSP). CSP 2012 guides all governments, institutions and organizations committed to enhance sports participation, which will yield positive benefits for Canadians, while respecting each government’s jurisdiction. The policy aims to have, by 2022, a dynamic and innovative culture that promotes and celebrates participation and excellence in sport. Ministers also provided details on the initiatives they plan to undertake in their jurisdictions to advance the objectives of the Policy. To support the implementation of CSP 2012, Ministers approved new priorities for collaborative action that focus on promoting access to sport for economically disadvantaged Canadians, improving capacity in the sport system, and aligning the Canadian Sport Policy with strategies for physical activity and recreation.
Ministers agreed to increased communication and information sharing among governments in an effort to enhance coordination in hosting international sport events, which strengthen sport development and bring economic and social benefits to communities across the country. Ministers also approved a document that defines and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of governments and key stakeholder organizations in Canadian high performance sport. They also directed officials to carry out an analysis of potential benefits and implications of the recommendations to Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments that are outlined in the “Sport Community Bidding and Hosting Strategy” (a document that has been produced by the working group initiated by the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance), and to consider the merit of these recommendations in the context of actual budgetary levels.
In 2011, Ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation* endorsed the Declaration on Prevention and Promotion (Declaration) and Curbing Childhood Obesity: A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action to Promote Healthy Weights (Framework)**, released by Ministers of Health and/or Health Promotion/Healthy Living in 2010. In support of the Framework, Ministers have agreed to submit their respective governments’ physical activity and recreation programs and initiatives that contribute to the advancement of healthy weights for inclusion in the 2013 Healthy Weights Progress Report, which is currently being developed. This collaboration amongst governments and across departments is an excellent example of aligning complementary efforts to help children, youth and families achieve and maintain healthy weights and healthier lifestyles.
Ministers reviewed progress on a number of physical activity and recreation initiatives: the Multisectoral Framework for Action on the After-School Time Period, which seeks to encourage children to be more physically active and reduce sedentary activities or other unhealthy or high-risk behaviours in the after-school time period; planning for a National Recreation Summit to be hosted in Ontario in 2014 and the development of a National Recreation Agenda; and Active Canada 20/20 (a strategy developed by Canada’s physical activity stakeholder community to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours among Canadians). Ministers directed officials to assess opportunities to further align this cluster of initiatives and to define priorities to focus collaborative efforts on outcomes over the next year.
The Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games Organizing Committee provided Ministers with an update on the planning and preparation for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games. In July and August 2015, Toronto and surrounding communities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area of Ontario will welcome athletes, coaches, officials and visitors from across the Americas and the Caribbean to one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in Canada. This event is an opportunity to showcase Canada’s diverse and unique culture on an international stage, and will help generate significant economic benefits through construction and tourism.
Ministers also reaffirmed their support to the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) by approving refinements to the Mandate Agreement of the Association, originally endorsed in 2005. Ministers highlighted the work of the CAC, which is recognized as a world leader in coach training and certification and acknowledged the important role coaches play in the identification and development of Canada’s athletes. Since 1974, more than 1.3 million coaches have participated in the CAC’s National Coaching Certification Program, making it one of Canada’s largest training programs. This successful program provides Canadian coaches with essential skills to enhance sport experiences for all Canadian athletes and strengthen sport development from the playground to the podium.
Ministers emphasized their continued commitment to the Canada Games and the Canada Games Council, and underscored the importance of these Games to the development of Canadian athletes and coaches.
The next meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers is scheduled to take place in Prince George, BC, at the beginning of the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
*Quebec has its own programs, action plans, objectives and targets for physical activity and healthy living promotion. It contributes to Canada-wide initiatives by exchanging information and outlining best practices.
** Although Quebec shares the general goals of the Declaration and Framework, it was not involved in developing them and does not subscribe to a Canada-wide strategy in this area.
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
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Robert Lynch |
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Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose |
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Media Relations |
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Media Relations |
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Mathieu Le Blanc |
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