June 25, 2013
For immediate release
Fact Sheet: Innovation Strategy Projects - Achieving Healthier Weights in Canada’s Communities
(TORONTO) – On behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Parliamentary Secretary Colin Carrie announced funding for an innovative, community-based project in Toronto that will help children, youth and their families achieve and maintain healthier weights and healthier lifestyles in their communities.
“Our Government is pleased to invest in projects to help Canadians achieve healthier weights and more active, healthy lives,” said Parliamentary Secretary Colin Carrie. “We are pleased to support this important project which will benefit families not only in Toronto and across Ontario, but also families living in Winnipeg and Halifax communities.”
This project is one of nine projects under the Innovation Strategy: Achieving Healthier Weights in Canada’s Communities announced today. Funding will support the following project in Ontario: Launching Community Food Centres in Canada: Building Health and Equity through Food Programs in Low Income Communities, led by Community Food Centres Canada.
"Investments like this will enable us to increase the availability of better quality foods to families living on low-incomes,” said Kathryn Scharf, VP, National Programs at Community Food Centres Canada. “That means fewer families going hungry on a daily basis and being able to be healthier overall.”
Funding through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Innovation Strategy supports innovative programs across Canada to address complex public health issues and underlying environmental, social, demographic and economic factors that affect healthier weights among children, youth and families in Canadian rural, remote, northern and underserved 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, contact:
Health Canada
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Health Agency of Canada
Media Relations
(613) 957-2983
