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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
August 18, 2009

Ministers Strive to Increase Physical Activity Levels in Children and Youth

Increasing physical activity levels for the country�s children and youth was the primary focus of the recent federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) meetings of ministers responsible for sport, recreation and physical activity, held August 13-14 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

First and foremost, ministers agreed to work collectively to meet the previously established 2008 pan-Canadian physical activity targets. Ministers also agreed on a joint policy statement focusing on collective efforts to increase physical activity for children and youth.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said it is imperative that our country�s children and youth become more physically active.

�As ministers responsible for sport, recreation and physical activity, it is essential that we continue to work together to educate the children and youth of this country on the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle,� said Minister Jackman. �Collectively, we have already made positive strides and will continue to do so as we focus on our common goals.�

In conjunction with the joint policy statement, ministers also committed to: endorse the after-school time period as an opportunity for government policy and programming efforts focusing on the physical activities on children and youth in partnership with non-government organizations; work with ministers of health and education to improve the health and well-being of the country�s children and youth; and, support collective action items across governments such as: social-marketing efforts to endorse similar physical activity messaging. In the meantime, Ministers also directed their senior officials to seek out possible opportunities for government partnerships focusing on increasing physical activity levels in adults and to report back with options.

Minister Jackman highlighted the potential impact of approximately $8.1 million in new funding that has been invested over the past three years through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation to further the goals in the Provincial Government�s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador.

�Enduring investments in initiatives that encourage healthy lifestyles including physical activity and nutritious food choices will hopefully result in a healthier population,� said Minister Jackman. �My department will continue to work closely with the Departments of Health and Community Services and Education � their input and expertise is a key factor in achieving our overall goals.�

In addition to the decisions concerning increasing physical activity levels for children and youth, ministers also discussed and agreed to: provide funding for Aboriginal athlete�s to travel to future North American Indigenous Games (NAIG); provide continued support for the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC); and, provide continued support to the Canada Games and the Canada Games Council. Ministers also congratulated Tom Quinn and Piers MacDonald as the newly appointed chair and vice-chair of the council.

For more detailed information on the FPT meetings in PEI, visit: www.scics.gc.ca/cinfo09/830963004_e.html

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Media contact:
Debbie Marnell
Communications Specialist
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0585, 699-9048
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca

2009 08 18                                   3:30 p.m.


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