Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Endorse Canadian Sport Policy and Renew Commitment to Sport, Physical Activity and Healthy Weights in Canada

Press Release

Inuvik, Northwest Territories, June 27, 2012 – Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation today endorsed the Canadian Sport Policy (CSP) 2012 at their annual meeting held June 26 and 27 in Inuvik. CSP 2012 is the successor policy to the first-ever Canadian sport policy (2002), which was approved in Iqaluit, Nunavut a decade ago, and is the result of extensive consultation and collaboration amongst the Government of Canada, the provinces and territories and Canada’s sport and recreation communities.

CSP 2012 has been designed as a roadmap for all governments, institutions and organizations that are committed to contributing to the positive benefits and impacts of sport on Canadians, their communities and Canadian society, while respecting each government’s jurisdiction. The vision for the Policy is to have, by 2022, a dynamic and innovative culture that promotes and celebrates participation and excellence in sport.The policy includes five goals that address all forms of sport participation throughout Canada, with a desired outcome to see both the number and diversity of Canadians participating in sport increase throughout the policy’s ten-year timeframe.

Ministers also approved an initial set of priorities for collaborative action in sport, which represent the governments’ joint actions for implementing CSP 2012. Ministers directed officials to prepare a more comprehensive list of priorities in consultation with the sport sector for consideration at next year’s conference. Ministers also directed officials to work with non-governmental organizations (NGO) to encourage their contribution to implementing the policy.

Ministers also endorsed* the Multi-Sectoral Framework for Action on the After-School Time Period, which identifies five shared areas for action, as well as opportunities for collaboration to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary activities or other unhealthy and even high-risk behaviours in the after school hours. Ministers also directed officials to work with their colleagues in health, education and other sectors, including the private sector, to explore ways to further support healthy active living and help our children and youth have the healthiest start in life.

Demonstrating their commitment to the shared goals of increasing physical activity and promoting healthy weights**, federal and provincial/territorial Ministers endorsed Actions Taken and Future Directions 2011, the first report on the Curbing Childhood Obesity Framework. The report presents actions that have been undertaken since September 2010 and key areas of action that can be taken by F-P/T governments as they continue to advance the Framework.

Ministers received a presentation on Active Canada 20/20, a national physical activity strategy developed by Canada’s physical activity stakeholder community and coordinated by ParticipACTION. The strategy aims to provide a vision for physical activity in Canada and proposes actions for multiple sectors to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours among Canadians. Ministers expressed their appreciation to those involved in the development of the strategy and directed officials to examine the strategy to determine how governments and the physical activity stakeholder community can work together more effectively to advance physical activity in Canada.

Ministers recognized the value of recreation to healthy communities and quality of life and P/T Ministers agreed, except Quebec, to support a Recreation Roundtable to be hosted in New Brunswick May 29th and 30th, 2013. To build on the success of the October 2011 National Recreation Summit — a joint initiative of F-P/T governments and the Canadian Recreation and Parks Association — Ministers also directed officials to plan the next National Recreation Summit in 2014.

Ministers also approved the establishment of an F-P/T Work Group on High Performance Sport, which will define and clarify the roles and responsibilities of governments and key stakeholder organizations in high performance sport in Canada.

As the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games draw near, Ministers noted their admiration for the athletes who will represent Canada at these Games and expressed their best wishes for success by the Canadian team.

The next meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers is scheduled to take place in Sherbrooke, Quebec on the 1st and 2nd of August 2013.

* Quebec has its own programs, action plans, objectives and targets for physical activity and healthy living promotion. It contributes to Canada-wide initiatives by exchanging information and outlining best practices.

** Although Quebec shares the general goals of the Actions Taken and Future Directions 2011 report, it was not involved in its development and does not subscribe to a Canada-wide strategy in this area.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
David Maguire
Communications and Web Advisor
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
t. 867-920-3092 | c. 867-446-3084

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