Canada's New Government Re-Launches ParticipACTION

Toronto, February 19, 2007 - The Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport) and the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and the Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, announced today that Canada's New Government will provide $5 million over two years to support the renewal of ParticipACTION.

"After the previous government ended this partnership in 2001, Canada's New Government is proud to renew ParticipAction to promote sport and physical activity among Canadians of all ages and abilities," said Secretary of State Guergis.

"Canada's New Government recognizes the challenges facing Canada with regard to rising obesity levels and declining physical activity rates, and we know the ParticipACTION name continues to resonate with many Canadians as a motivator to be active," said Minister Clement. "ParticipACTION and our new web site www.HealthyCanadians.ca are two measures that our government believes will help Canadians develop healthier lifestyles."

The Ministers also used this event at Toronto's Owen Elementary school to launch a new one-stop website www.HealthyCanadians.ca

The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, announced these two initiatives at a corresponding event at the Sun Youth Recreation Centre today in Montréal.

Founded in 1971, ParticipACTION is a charitable not-for-profit organization that promoted physical fitness/activity throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. As part of its renewal, ParticipACTION is partnering with media, business, labour, education, volunteer organizations, as well as physical activity and sport groups, and will support the efforts of national and provincial/territorial governments in building momentum towards a more active and healthy Canada.

The new Internet initiative www.HealthyCanadians.ca will provide Canadians with a one-stop shop for information on health and lifestyle issues. Users will be able to follow links to existing Government of Canada Web content such as the Canada Food Guide and physical activity initiatives.

To promote fitness, sport and healthy living, Canada's New Government has also introduced measures including:

• A Children's Fitness Tax Credit - starting January 1, 2007, parents have been able to claim a tax credit on up to $500 of eligible expenses from sport and physical activity programs for each child under the age of 16, promoting physical fitness, including sport, among children.
• Annual WinterActive and SummerActive initiatives for families to get involved in community activities across Canada, and making our Canada's Physical Activity Guide available for people of all ages.
• Annual funding of more than $140 million to support participation and excellence in sport from the playground to the podium.
• A contribution of $552 million to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
• A contribution of $37.15 million to the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse.
• A commitment of up to $400 million to support the Halifax bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

According to Statistics Canada, 36% of Canadians are overweight, of which 23% are obese. Among children and adolescents aged two to seventeen, 26% are overweight, of which 8% are obese. Over the past 25 years, the overweight/obesity rate among adolescents aged 12 to 17 has more than doubled, and the obesity rate has tripled.

Information:

Axelle Pellerin
Office of the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport)
(613) 992-4224

Alain Desroches
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 994-9101

Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
(613) 957-0200

Backgrounder

ParticipACTION

Canada's New Government approved a proposal in December 2006 to renew ParticipACTION and will contribute up to $1.4 million in 2006-2007 through Sport Canada, allowing ParticipACTION to develop a business plan, hire staff and create public outreach tools.

In 2007-2008, the Government of Canada will provide $3.6 million through Sport Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada to assist ParticipACTION in implementing its business plan and its national strategy to promote physical activity and sport participation.

Prior to receiving public funding, ParticipACTION consulted potential partners including federal, provincial and territorial governments; provincial and territorial sport, recreation and physical activity organizations; and national associations responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation.

The results of these consultations indicated support for the development of a pan-Canadian strategy to build upon and support existing efforts to increase participation in sport and physical activity.

ParticipACTION will leverage this financial contribution to many times its value by attracting new money and support from private sector corporations, associations, foundations, and other levels of government. It will also generate substantial support from professionals and volunteers through partnerships with their associations that will further promote physical activity and healthy living to all Canadians.

Like all government contributions, the agreement with ParticipACTION is based on a full understanding of the nature and purpose of how funds will be spent. ParticipACTION will be held accountable through legal agreements and regular reporting requirements. As is the case with all records under the control of the Government of Canada, ParticipACTION's records will be subject to all aspects of Canada's Access to Information Act.

In addition, ParticipACTION will develop and closely monitor realistic progress indicators. The organization will measure and report on the effect of its communication activities, and success in connecting with communities across Canada.

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