NLIS 7
May 11, 2001 
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Minister launches National Physical Activity Campaign 
Summer Active 2001 - May 11 - June 22

 Kevin Alyward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today the official launch of the Summer Active Campaign in Newfoundland and Labrador. On May 11, residents of Newfoundland and Labrador will join Canadians from coast-to-coast and participate in National Try-It Day, the official kick-off of a six-week campaign to celebrate and promote regular physical activity known as Summer Active 2001. Try-It Day is a call to action to take the first steps towards putting physical activity back into our daily lives.

Many community organizations, recreation committees, schools and workplaces across the province have already registered a wide range of events and activities. At Confederation Building in St. John's today, employees joined in a lunch time walk around St. John's. Also participating were students from the Community Recreation Leadership Program, College of the North Atlantic, who have worked over the last few weeks with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation staff to promote Summer Active 2001 to government employees. 

"This campaign," explained the minister, "will help us focus on the need to make physical activity an important part of our daily routine." Physical activity levels of the average Canadian have increased over the past 20 years or so but only approximately 33 per cent are active enough for desired health benefits. Governments and organizations at the national and provincial levels have recognized that the consequences of a sedentary society are clear and, subsequently, strategies have been put in place to combat this social trend. 

"In Newfoundland and Labrador, a committee of all the major stakeholders in recreation, sport, health, education, municipal and provincial organizations have been meeting over the past year or so. This committee has drafted a Physical Activity Strategy Paper that will help provide direction over the next few years in dealing with this important social issue," Mr. Aylward said. 

The Summer Active 2001 campaign in Newfoundland and Labrador is being coordinated by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Parks/Recreation Association and Health Canada - Active Living Unit.

"On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I congratulate community leaders and organizations across the province," Minister Aylward added. "Your efforts in encouraging wide- spread participation in daily physical activity will certainly have major benefits in the short and long term for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2001 05 11                                      4:05 p.m.