January 15, 2007
For immediate release

News Release

Minister of Health Tony Clement Encourages Canadians to Get WinterActive

Ottawa - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, welcomed today the launch of WinterActive, a national community mobilization initiative led by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in collaboration with the Provinces and Territories to help Canadians improve their health while having fun enjoying the best of Canada's wintertime.

"With today's launch of WinterActive, Canada's New Government is encouraging Canadians to be more physically active and healthy by participating in events and activities across the country," said Minister Clement. "Encouraging healthy living is also why on January 1 we introduced Canada's first tax credit for parents who enroll their children in sports activities to keep them physically active."

A popular annual event, WinterActive runs from January 15 to February 23 and is designed to encourage and support Canadians taking their first steps towards regular physical activity, healthy eating, living a tobacco-free lifestyle and participating in sport activities.

This year's WinterActive website features listings of ideas and events that are searchable by province or territory plus unique approaches to wintertime activity, including during winter break.

The comprehensive online resource also includes tools and messaging aimed at various population groups, such as children, youth, seniors and Aboriginal Peoples.

The benefits of regular physical activity include better health, improved fitness and weight control, better posture and balance, better self-esteem, stronger muscles and bones, more energy, greater relaxation, and reduced stress, and continued independent living in later life. Research has shown that even a moderate increase in regular physical activity can improve health, as well as prevent disease, disability and premature death.

Year after year, WinterActive and SummerActive have proven to be popular annual initiatives where hundreds of events and programs are organized in communities, schools, workplaces, sport facilities and public health facilities.

For more information on WinterActive programs in your community, visit www.winteractive.org . Information on the Children's Fitness Tax Credit is available at www.cra.gc.ca/fitness .

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Media Inquiries:

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