Government of Canada and Government of Yukon promote active living and reduce chronic disease

Yukon Northern Wellness Project promotes healthier lifestyles in Canada's North

WHITEHORSE, April 7, 2015 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Federal Minister of Health, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, and the territorial Minister of Community Services, Currie Dixon, Member of Parliament Ryan Leef and territorial Minister of Health and Social Services Mike Nixon are pleased to announce funding for the Yukon Northern Wellness Project. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investing more than $2 million over five years in community-based programming that aims to improve the health and well-being of Yukoners, especially among children and youth.

The Yukon Northern Wellness Project will bring together several community-based partners under one agreement to build on the strengths of Northern communities to increase physical activity and reduce the trend of unhealthy behaviours that increases the instances of chronic disease and tobacco use among youth.

The project will be delivered in Yukon communities by active living partners, working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Government of Yukon's Department of Community Services' Sport and Recreation Branch, the Government of Yukon's Department of Health and Social Services, and the Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon (RPAY). This project will provide continued support for events and programming like Winter Active for Life, Yukon Active Living, after-school programming, RPAY's lending library, Rural Healthy Eating Active Living (RHEAL) Leaders and many more.

Quick Facts

• Only four percent of Canadian children are getting the recommended amount of daily physical activity.
• A third of all Canadian children and youth are already overweight or obese.
• High levels of sedentary behaviour increases health risks in children.
• The economic costs of obesity are estimated at $4.6 billion in 2008, based on costs associated with the eight chronic diseases most consistently linked to obesity.
• A large number of factors, such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use can be reduced to prevent and delay the start of chronic disease.
• The Yukon Northern Wellness Project builds on the strengths of Northern communities to overcome health challenges and reduce the incidence of chronic disease, physical inactivity and use of tobacco.
• The Government of Canada is committed to working with the provinces and territories, and with the private and not-for-profit sectors, to encourage all Canadians to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Quotes

"Our Government is pleased to be working with the Government of Yukon to fund the Yukon Northern Wellness Project, which is a good example of our continued commitment to Canada's Northern Strategy and the Northern Wellness Approach. Not only will this project provide an opportunity to improve Northerners' health and well-being, but it will also help reduce the chances of chronic disease."
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health

"The Government of Yukon is committed to providing a better quality of life for Yukoners through its investment in sport, recreation and active living projects. We believe in the importance of active and healthy living for all Yukoners and we are pleased to work with the Government of Canada to promote healthier lifestyles in all Yukon communities. A focus on increasing physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco cessation aimed at Yukon youth now will improve health outcomes down the years."
The Honourable Mike Nixon
Minister of Health and Social Services, Government of Yukon
on behalf of the Honourable Currie Dixon, Minister of Community Services

"The Yukon Northern Wellness Project is a great example of collaboration in our region. I am pleased that our Government is working with the Government of Yukon and local partners to promote healthier living. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this project will have in our communities."
Ryan Leef
Member of Parliament, Yukon

"We are very pleased to see this funding flow into the territory so that we can continue to support and promote healthy and active lifestyles in all Yukon communities. This agreement will ensure that resources, like our lending library, are available for various organizations, schools and groups to access for years to come."
Anne Morgan
Executive Director, RPAY

Associated Links
Government of Yukon 
Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon 

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

Michael Bolkenius, Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Federal Minister of Health, [phone]; Diana Dryburgh, Community Services, Government of Yukon, [phone], [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, [phone]; Government of Yukon news releases are available on the Internet at: http://www.gov.yk.ca/news