October 11, 2012
For immediate release
Fact Sheet: Investing in Active and Safe Children and Youth
(Winnipeg, Manitoba) – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada today announced on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, investments in two projects to reduce the number of sports and recreation-related injuries among Canadian children and youth.
“In Canada, forty percent of all children and youth injuries are sports and recreation-related,” said Minister Nicholson. “Our Government is committed to creating safe sports and recreational environments so that our children and youth can participate in activities that are safe and healthy.”
Active and Safe Kids Manitoba, led by Recreation Connections Manitoba, will decrease sports and recreation-related injuries in children and youth 19 and under through community level action and partnerships by developing two tool-kits for use by community organizations and families.
“Families, communities, and children and youth need to know how to be safe while being active,” said Cory Jackson, Executive Director of Recreation Connections Manitoba. “Because of this initiative, Manitobans will now have the information and tools they need to prevent injuries.”
Safety Guidelines for Physical Activity and Sport, led by Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association, will decrease sports-related injuries by creating an online training tool for teachers and coaches.
“We are developing a unique online course that will make it easier for coaches, teachers and volunteers, both in our Alberta communities, and across Canada, to promote physical education, sport and recreation safety,” said John Paton, Executive Director of the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association. “Sharing knowledge is key to lowering the rate of injuries.”
Through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Active and Safe initiative, the federal government invests in a number of projects that focus on preventing injuries among children and youth by reaching Canadians in the communities where they live and play. Active and Safe encourages community level action to increase sport and recreation safety awareness.
Health Canada
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 941-8189
