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Canadian children and families offered incentives to become more
physically active
CALGARY, Feb. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq
announced an investment today for a project to encourage physical
activity and healthy living among children and their families in
communities across Canada. With this project, the Government is
advancing innovative partnerships across many sectors, particularly the
private and not-for profit sectors, to support Canadians in becoming
healthier and preventing chronic diseases.
"Our government is committed to supporting children and families across
Canada in their efforts to live more active and healthier lives," says
Minister Aglukkaq. "We all have a role to play in achieving these goals
and by working together we are encouraging Canadians to be more active
in their communities. Healthy living is everyone's business."
The Air Miles Reward Program, via its AIR MILES for Social Change
activities, will partner with the YMCA at 15 locations in Alberta,
Ontario and New Brunswick to enable families to earn AIR MILES reward
miles in a variety of ways that encourage physical activity, such as
registering their children for day camps, using participating fitness
facilities or buying YMCA memberships. Five Calgary YMCAs are
participating in this project.
"AIR MILES is delighted to be part of this initiative," says Angela Simo
Brown, General Manager, AIR MILES for Social Change. "By partnering
with the YMCA and with the support of the Government of Canada, we can
inspire and reward Canadian families to be the healthiest they can be."
"YMCA Calgary is proud to contribute its expertise and facilities to
this worthwhile initiative," says Helene Weir, YMCA Calgary President
and CEO. "Encouraging people of all ages to make healthy choices will
make for healthier communities."
The Government of Canada is committed to working collaboratively across
all sectors to promote programs and activities that support healthy
living, physical activity and chronic disease prevention. For more
information on physical activity, please visit http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/hl-mvs/pa-ap/index-eng.php
FACT SHEET
FEBRUARY 2013
HEALTHY LIVING:
PUBLIC - PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR HEALTHIER LIVING
Promoting physical activity for Canadian children and families
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and
healthy eating, play an important role in the health, well-being and
quality of life of Canadian children, youth and families, and help to
prevent chronic diseases like cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart
disease.
The Government of Canada is advancing innovative, partnerships,
particularly with the private sector, to create the conditions that
will help children, youth and their families achieve and maintain
healthy weights. In collaboration with the YMCA and the Air Miles
Reward Program via its AIR MILES for Social Change activities, it will
engage Canadian children, youth and families in activities and programs
that address healthy living, physical activity and chronic disease
prevention.
The Public Health Agency of Canada will make up to $750,000 available
over 18 months to support overall program design, the development of
training plans, support materials, technology requirements, performance
measurement and program evaluation, and marketing and implementation
activities for use by the 15 participating YMCA locations in Alberta,
Ontario and New Brunswick. Once it is in place, the project will:
-
Encourage children, youth and their families to achieve health benefits
through physical activity.
-
Allow families to earn Air Miles reward miles in a variety of ways that
encourage physical activity, such as registering their children for day
camps, using participating fitness facilities or buying YMCA
memberships.
The 15 participating YMCAs are the Calgary-based South Health Campus,
Eau Claire, Crowfoot, Saddletowne and Shawnessy locations; the
Ontario-based chapters in Oakville (Peter Gilgan Family YMCA),
Brampton, Central, Markham (Ruth Bratty Centre), Mississauga, North
York, Scarborough, West End, and Durham; and, in New Brunswick, the
Moncton YMCA.
SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada
Image with caption: "Federal Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq announces healthy living partnership at Calgary YMCA. Left to right: Helene Weir, President and CEO YMCA Calgary, Angela Simo Brown, General Manager AIR MILES for Social Change, Minister Aglukkaq and Joan Crockatt, MP Calgary Centre. (CNW Group/Public Health Agency of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130221_C7066_PHOTO_EN_23944.jpg
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