Conference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation
NEWS RELEASE – MINISTERS TAKE ACTION TO PROMOTE SPORT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND RECREATION IN YEAR OF SPORT
Prince George, British Columbia, February 13, 2015 – As we celebrate 2015 as the Year of Sport in Canada, 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 meeting held February 12-13 in Prince George, British Columbia.
Ministers provided updates on the status of sport, physical activity, recreation and special initiatives in their respective jurisdictions to mark the Year of Sport in Canada, as well as discussed government approaches to celebrate the role sport plays in our country’s culture and to encourage Canadians to seek its benefits.
As a signature event of the Year of Sport in Canada, Ministers highlighted the high quality of the organization and facilities in place for the 2015 Canada Winter Games taking place in Prince George over the next action-packed 17 days. Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the Canada Games – a legacy to all Canadians – which has seen over 200,000 athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers participate since 1967 and has been a strong foundation for developing some of Canada’s top international athletes. Ministers also committed to further discussions on a proposal from the Canada Games Council for activities related to the Canada Games 50-150 Celebration and Commemoration Project, marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Canada Games during Canada’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2017.
An update was provided on progress for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games, taking place in July and August in Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Toronto 2015 will be the largest multi-sport event ever hosted in Canada, with over 10,000 top athletes and officials from 41 countries and territories from across the Americas and the Caribbean competing at more than 30 venues in 15 municipalities across southern Ontario. This event is an opportunity to showcase Canada’s cultural diversity on an international stage, and will help generate significant economic benefits through construction and tourism.
A progress report was delivered on recent activities in support of the 2012 Canadian Sport Policy (CSP2012). CSP 2012 guides all governments, institutions and organizations committed to enhancing sports participation, which will yield positive benefits for Canadians, while respecting each government’s jurisdiction. By 2022, the policy aims to have a dynamic and innovative Canadian 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.
Ministers reviewed progress on a number of physical activity and recreation initiatives. Provincial and Territorial Ministers1 endorsed and the Government of Canada supported the Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015, a collaborative effort between P/T governments and the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, that provides a united vision for the recreation sector. The Frameworkprovides opportunities to enhance mental and physical well-being, connect people and nature and address constraints to participation.
Ministers have also agreed to continued collaboration with colleagues in Health and/or Health Promotion/Healthy Living to issue the 2015 Healthy Weights Progress Report, currently in development2. This collaboration between governments and across departments will help to align complementary efforts to help children, youth and families achieve and maintain healthy weights and healthier, more active lifestyles.
Ministers received a report on the current status of physical activity levels among children, youth and adults in Canada, including the links between physical inactivity, sedentary living and preventable chronic disease. The complex challenge of increasing physical activity for all Canadians defies single solution approaches – partnerships and collaboration across all sectors of society is needed to get more Canadians moving. Ministers gave direction to apply findings from the report to advance approaches and program interventions to increase population-level physical activity through collaborative action and jurisdictional initiatives.
Finally, Ministers directed officials to review Active Canada 20/20: A Physical Activity Strategy and Change Agenda for Canada, with a view to developing a pan-Canadian framework to be brought to Ministers for endorsement at a future meeting.
The next meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers is scheduled to take place in July 2017, just prior to the beginning of the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1 Although Quebec is not opposed to the principles underlying this framework, it has its own programs, action plans, objectives and targets for the promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyle, all areas which are Quebec’s responsibility. The Government of Quebec does not participate in federal, provincial and territorial initiatives in this area, but agreed to exchange information and best practices with other governments.
2 In 2011, Ministers 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. Although Quebec shares the general goals of the Declaration and Framework, it was not involved in developing them and does not subscribe to a federal, provincial and territorial strategy in this area.
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Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose |
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Media Relations |