Executive Council
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
October 26, 2015

Supporting Healthy Schools and Communities

Students "Start Right Now" to Increase Physical Activity

The Provincial Government is partnering with Canadian Tire Corporation, ParticipACTION, School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District to promote and increase physical activity opportunities for school-aged children. The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was at Paradise Elementary this morning (Monday, October 26) to encourage students to "start right now" to increase their daily level of activity through newly-expanded programs such as Active Schools and Participation Nation.

"In Newfoundland and Labrador, as in other jurisdictions, many young people are simply not getting the recommended level of physical activity each day. We need to turn that around. There are ways to incorporate physical activity into our children's daily lives, both formally and informally, and the expansion of the Active Schools and Participation Nation programs will help us do that."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Budget 2015 includes $500,000 to support increased physical activity programming for school-aged children. The Active Schools program provides students with the opportunity to learn through curriculum-based activities that incorporate physical activity in the classroom. Participating schools will be provided with resources, equipment and teacher training. Participation Nation is a program, conducted outside the instructional day, whereby students are exposed to a variety of activities which focus on having fun, not keeping score. It encourages students who would not typically be involved in competitive sports to be more physically active and feel good about their participation. A total of 122 schools now offer Participation Nation programming in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We all recognize the need to encourage youth to disconnect from the various electronic devices and embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. With the support of our partners within government, the corporate community, parents and others, we can create more supportive environments where children and youth can 'start right now' to develop healthy lifestyles that will serve them well throughout their lives."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Canadian Tire Corporation is investing up to $400,000 over three years to help support the expansion of physical activity programming.

"At Canadian Tire, we believe in the power of sport to inspire Canadians to lead more active, healthy lives and we're always looking for new ways to provide our support. We are excited to work with the Provincial Government to build on programs that provide young people with the opportunity to develop essential life skills like teamwork and leadership through physical activity."
- Landon French, Vice-President, Community Relations, Canadian Tire Corporation

As part of the "start right now" approach, the Provincial Government will also continue its partnership with ParticiPACTION through the development and implementation of a digital marketing campaign designed to encourage young people, and their parents, to make physical activity a priority in their daily lives. Last year, government partnered with ParticipACTION on the Make Room for Play marketing campaign, which included television and online advertising in Newfoundland and Labrador markets.

"Regular heart-pumping movement helps young people improve fitness, make friends, have fun, improve concentration and do better in school. ParticipACTION is proud to work with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on a province-wide digital communications campaign to inspire families to make physical activity a higher priority in daily life."
- Elio Antunes, President & CEO, ParticipACTION

For more information on Participation Nation activities in Newfoundland and Labrador, see: //pn.schoolsportsnl.ca/ .

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is partnering with Canadian Tire Corporation, ParticipACTION, School Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District to promote and increase physical activity opportunities for school-aged children.
• Students are being encouraged to "start right now" to increase their daily level of activity through expanded Active Schools and Participation Nation programming.
• Budget 2015 includes $500,000 to support increased physical activity programming for school-aged children.
• To help deliver the expanded programming, Canadian Tire Corporation is investing up to $400,000 over three years to help support physical activity programming.
• As part of the "start right now" approach, the Provincial Government will continue its partnership with ParticipACTION through the development and implementation of a digital marketing campaign designed to encourage young people, and their parents, to make physical activity a priority in their daily lives.

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2015 10 26                              10:35 a.m.