Minister Aglukkaq applauds MP Ryan Leef’s efforts to fight diabetes

Government invests significantly in awareness and prevention

Fact Sheet: Healthy Living: Supporting Action for Diabetes Prevention

(OTTAWA) – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, congratulated Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, as he embarked today on the first leg of hisBorder2Border initiative, which will see him trek around the Yukon perimeter over the next three summers to raise awareness and funds for diabetes prevention and treatment.

“Ryan Leef is a positive role model for all of us,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “With type 2 diabetes on the rise in Canada, he is showing us that, with a commitment to physical activity and healthy eating, the disease can be prevented and managed.”

In the first year Ryan Leef will cover 1,000 kilometers on foot, and another 2,000 kilometers over the next 2 summers. Canadians will be able to track his progress on a virtual walking trail developed by the Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon(RPAY) and available on their website. The virtual trail will provide details about his location and the kind of terrain and wildlife he will encounter along the way.

“Ryan Leef’s Border2Border initiative reflects RPAY’s mission, which is to encourage Yukoners to adopt healthy lifestyles,” said Anne Morgan, RPAY’s Executive Director. “We are pleased to play a part in Ryan’s trek and wish him every success and hope Canadians join him on the virtual challenge.”

The Government of Canada invests significantly every year in the Canadian Diabetes Strategy to raise awareness of the disease and its risk factors and to implement the integrated national diabetes surveillance system. Providing Canadians with information to support the prevention of chronic diseases is a priority for the government. For example, our CANRISK questionnaire can help Canadians understand the risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including body weight, ethnicity, physical activity and family history. CANRISK can be found online at: www.publichealth.gc.ca/canrisk.

“By working in partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association and community-based groups, Ryan Leef is showing us that we all have a role to play to beat chronic disease,” said Minister Aglukkaq.

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