Conference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation

Inuvik, Northwest Territories, June 27, 2012 – Federal, provincial and   territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and   recreation today endorsed the Canadian Sport Policy (CSP) 2012 at their   annual meeting held June 26 and 27 in Inuvik.  CSP 2012 is the successor   policy to the first-ever Canadian sport policy (2002), which was   approved in Iqaluit, Nunavut a decade ago, and is the result of   extensive consultation and collaboration amongst the Government of   Canada, the provinces and territories and Canada’s sport and recreation   communities.

CSP 2012 has been designed as a roadmap for all governments,   institutions and organizations that are committed to contributing to the   positive benefits and impacts of sport on Canadians, their communities   and Canadian society, while respecting each government’s jurisdiction.   The vision for the Policy is to have, by 2022, a dynamic and innovative culture that promotes and celebrates participation and excellence in sport.

The policy includes five goals that address all forms of sport   participation throughout Canada, with a desired outcome to see both the   number and diversity of Canadians participating in sport increase   throughout the policy’s ten-year timeframe.

Ministers also approved an initial set of priorities for   collaborative action in sport, which represent the governments’ joint   actions for implementing CSP 2012. Ministers directed officials to   prepare a more comprehensive list of priorities in consultation with the   sport sector for consideration at next year’s conference. Ministers   also directed officials to work with non-governmental organizations   (NGO) to encourage their contribution to implementing the policy.

Ministers also endorsed* the Multi-Sectoral Framework for Action on the After-School Time Period,   which identifies five shared areas for action, as well as opportunities   for collaboration to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary   activities or other unhealthy and even high-risk behaviours in the after   school hours. Ministers also directed officials to work with their   colleagues in health, education and other sectors, including the private   sector, to explore ways to further support healthy active living and   help our children and youth have the healthiest start in life.

Demonstrating their commitment to the shared goals of increasing   physical activity and promoting healthy weights**, federal and   provincial/territorial Ministers endorsed Actions Taken and Future Directions 2011,   the first report on the Curbing Childhood Obesity Framework. The report   presents actions that have been undertaken since September 2010 and key   areas of action that can be taken by F-P/T governments as they continue   to advance the Framework.

Ministers received a presentation on Active Canada 20/20,   a national physical activity strategy developed by Canada’s physical   activity stakeholder community and coordinated by ParticipACTION. The   strategy aims to provide a vision for physical activity in Canada and   proposes actions for multiple sectors to increase physical activity and   reduce sedentary behaviours among Canadians. Ministers expressed their   appreciation to those involved in the development of the strategy and   directed officials to examine the strategy to determine how governments   and the physical activity stakeholder community can work together more   effectively to advance physical activity in Canada.

Ministers recognized the value of recreation to healthy communities   and quality of life and P/T Ministers agreed, except Quebec, to support a Recreation Roundtable to be hosted in New Brunswick May 29th and 30th,   2013. To build on the success of the October 2011 National Recreation   Summit -- a joint initiative of F-P/T governments and the Canadian   Recreation and Parks Association -- Ministers also directed officials to   plan the next National Recreation Summit in 2014.  

Ministers also approved the establishment of an F-P/T Work Group on   High Performance Sport, which will define and clarify the roles and   responsibilities of governments and key stakeholder organizations in   high performance sport in Canada.

As the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games draw near, Ministers   noted their admiration for the athletes who will represent Canada at   these Games and expressed their best wishes for success by the Canadian   team.

The next meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers is scheduled to take place in Sherbrooke, Quebec on the 1st and 2nd of August 2013.

* 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 Actions Taken and   Future Directions 2011 report, it was not involved in its development   and does not subscribe to a Canada-wide strategy in this area.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

David Maguire
Communications and Web Advisor
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
t. 867-920-3092 | c. 867-446-3084