Harper Government Partners with AIR MILES Reward Program and YMCAs in Canada to Promote Healthy Living

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

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FACT SHEET

FEBRUARY 2013

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HEALTHY LIVING:
PUBLIC - PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR HEALTHIER LIVING

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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

Media Inquiries:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Media Relations
[phone]

Health Canada 
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
[phone]

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