The urgent need to address physical inactivity among Canada�s youth was the primary focus of meetings of federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for physical activity, recreation and sport, held May 21-22 in Victoria, B.C.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, stressed that Canada faces a crisis in terms of physical inactivity rates, especially amongst children and youth.

"It is no secret that we are facing an epidemic of inactivity," Minister Jackman told his FPT colleagues during the recent meeting. "Together, we must identify the resources necessary to implement new programs - and new, innovative, approaches � to address this issue."

Ministers in Victoria heard that the national health care cost of physical inactivity is $5.3 billion annually.

"That�s a startling statistic," Minister Jackman said. "It�s clear that each province and territory, and the country as a whole, has a responsibility to tackle this issue head-on. This is not just something we �should� do. This is something we must do."

During the meetings, ministers agreed to set specific Pan-Canadian targets for increased physical activity among children and youth. Currently, about 10 per cent of young people are engaged in 90 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a day. By 2010, the goal is to raise that figure to 12 per cent, and by 2015, to 17 per cent.

In May of 2007, the Provincial Government launched its recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy, Newfoundland and Labrador. The strategy committed almost $2.4 million in the first year alone.

"That initial investment was primarily directed at strengthening programs and services offered through our partner recreation and sport organizations," Minister Jackman said. "We must now continue to work with our provincial partners, particularly our colleagues in health and education, to move even further forward.

"The development of specific provincial initiatives to increase physical activity rates among all of our citizens will build on existing actions � such as a three-year, $3.2 million investment in school physical education equipment, along with healthy living and anti-tobacco initiatives � to create a stronger, healthier population," the minister added.

Among other decisions made at the meeting were: to continue taking joint action to promote Aboriginal sport development; to recognize � through a funding commitment � the importance of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in contributing to Aboriginal sport development; to develop a Canada Games Aboriginal Coach Apprenticeship Program; to encourage sport organizations to take actions to eliminate violence in hockey; and, to enhance the Canada Games Council governance practices.

For more information on the federal-provincial-territorial proceedings in Victoria, please visit: www.scics.gc.ca/cinfo08/830938004_e.html.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca