February 17, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Recreation ministers to meet in Corner Brook

The federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for fitness, recreation and sport will gather in Corner Brook at the Glynmill Inn on Thursday, February 18 for two days of meetings prior to the opening of the Canada Winter Games. Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will co-chair the conference with Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage who is responsible Sport Canada.

"The recreation ministers generally meet once every two years, just prior to the Canada Games," said Furey. "This conference is an excellent opportunity for all jurisdictions to share their goals and aspirations around recreation, fitness and sporting issues."

Ministers will discuss a range of issues including: progress towards the goal of reducing physical inactivity by 10 per cent by 2003; the impact recreation and sport has on children and youth living in poverty; ways to address harassment and abuse in recreation, sport and physical activity; a strategy to make all recreation safe; barriers to participation in recreation for aboriginals; and hosting rotation, frequency and funding for future Canada Games.

"The discussion of these issues by ministers will assist all governments in setting agendas for major issues within recreation and sports," said Furey.

The meeting will be closed to the public. Ministers will be available for a photo opportunity and to answers questions from the media at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

Media contact: Tara Laing, (709) 729-0928, cell: 685-8102.

1999 02 17 12:05 p.m.