Conference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation
NEWS RELEASE – PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SPORT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND RECREATION CALL FOR A SPORT, RECREATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM IN THE NEXT FEDERAL BUDGET
Whitehorse , Yukon, February 22, 2007 —The strain on the healthcare system across Canada is severe as we face a growing obesity epidemic. The situation will continue to worsen unless all governments take action now, to afford all Canadians access to sport, physical activity and recreation opportunities, contributing to good health and quality of life. During the conference of federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity, and recreation, taking place in Whitehorse, the site of the 2007 Canada Winter Games, provincial and territorial ministers again urged the federal government to recognize that sport, recreation and physical activity infrastructure remain their highest priority as it has been since their 2005 conference in Regina.
The provinces and territories have actively pursued the issue—and have revealed that Canada as a whole has a growing deficit in sport, recreation and physical activity infrastructure. They have also agreed on the parameters of a potential sport, recreation and physical activity infrastructure program. The provincial and territorial ministers have invited the Federal Minister of Health, Mr. Tony Clement to be their champion at the federal cabinet table.
Numerous provinces and territories have already acted by making investments and developing programs for sport, recreation and physical activity infrastructure. Provincial and territorial ministers recognize that investments in their respective jurisdictions are having a positive impact on participation. However, without collaborative action from federal counterparts a healthy Canada will not be achieved.
The provincial and territorial ministers strongly encourage and again invite the federal government to join the efforts of the provinces and territories, municipalities and the private sector in revitalizing Canada’s sport, recreation and physical activity infrastructure. They called for dedicated funding in the next federal budget in order to significantly reduce the infrastructure deficit in time for Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2017.
The ministers believe this new program should focus exclusively on sport, recreation and physical activity infrastructure to address the growing incidence of physical inactivity and obesity among Canadians.
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
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Adam Grachnik |