Tourism, Culture and Recreation
February 23, 2007

Provincial and Territorial Ministers Call for Sport, Recreation and Physical Infrastructure Program in Next Federal Budget

Provincial and territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation are urging the federal government to recognize that sport, recreation and physical activity infrastructure is of the highest priority in the coming budget.

"As provincial and territorial ministers, we are keenly aware of the benefits that increased physical activity bring to the overall mental and physical health of people, and that physical recreation and sport build strong families and communities," said Minister Hedderson, 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.

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, the Honourable Tony Clement, to be their champion at the federal cabinet table.

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.

The provincial and territorial ministers strongly encouraged and invited 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.

Minister Hedderson noted that, during the meeting, ministers received a presentation from the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Institute which highlighted concerns that young people were not as active as they should be for optimal growth and development.

"Following the presentation, a draft framework for developing bilateral agreements on physical activity and healthy eating was tabled for discussion," said Minister Hedderson. "These bilateral agreements are important to our efforts because they would encourage and enable people to be more physically active and to make more healthy choices about the food they eat."

Following the ministers meetings on Thursday, Minister Hedderson participated in a rally for Newfoundland and Labrador Athletes. The minister will be present for the Canada Games opening ceremonies scheduled to take place tonight, Friday, February 23, at 8:30 p.m.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the critical value of investment in recreation and sport activity," said Minister Hedderson. "We are currently in the final stages of preparing a Provincial Recreation and Sport Strategy that will outline our commitment and recognition of the positive role sport and physical activity play in personal health and in the strengthening of community and family bonds."

The outstanding example of physical health and well-being demonstrated by our own young athletes here at the Canada Games is evidence enough of the value of sport, recreation and physical activity," the minister noted.

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2007 02 23                                                   3:20 p.m.

 


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