Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Take Action to Support Sport, Physical Activity and Healthy Weights

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 11, 2011) - On the eve of the 2011 Canada Games, federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation agreed to take action in a number of areas at their annual meeting held February 10 and 11 in Halifax.

In an effort to achieve the 2015 federal, provincial and territorial physical activity targets* for children and youth established in 2008, ministers recognized that the after-school time period provides a prime opportunity to encourage increased healthy living (physical activity, healthy eating and sport participation) among children and youth and to reduce other unhealthy behaviour. Ministers agreed to explore opportunities to work with their colleagues in other departments, as well as with stakeholders, to identify shared approaches aimed at increasing physical activity in the after-school period and reduce inactive time.

Recognizing the important connections between sport, physical activity, recreation and healthy living, Ministers endorsed** the Declaration on Prevention and Promotion and the document Curbing Childhood Obesity: A FPT Framework for Action to Promote Healthy Weights. They also agreed to work with ministers of health and health promotion / healthy living who released these initiatives in September 2010. The Declaration recognizes that promoting health and preventing chronic disease, disability and injury is a shared responsibility and helps all Canadians live longer, healthier lives.

Ministers agreed to set physical activity targets for adults in each of their jurisdictions in accordance with the Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy. Ministers agreed to work together, proactively, with other government departments to create supportive environments for regular physical activity and influence the health behaviours of Canadians.

Ministers agreed to proceed with developing a successor policy to the current Canadian Sport Policy, along with a joint action plan for federal, provincial and territorial governments. Ministers also agreed to proceed with consultations to be led individually by each government from March to June 2011.

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.

Ministers endorsed the revised 2011 Canadian Policy Against Doping in Sport, which is committed to safeguarding the integrity and values of sport and protecting the well-being of individuals from the unethical practice of doping. This new policy is aligned with the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport (2005).

Ministers highlighted the importance of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in the advancement and development of Aboriginal sport and athletes. Ministers confirmed the base budget for the NAIG Funding Framework for hosting in 2014 at $10 million, and directed officials to review this base budget once again following the 2014 Games.

The next meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers is scheduled to take place in April 2012 in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

*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 for Action, it was not involved in developing them and does not subscribe to a Canada-wide strategy in this area.