The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister Responsible for Sport and Recreation, has indicated she is very pleased with the results of the meeting of federal and provincial ministers responsible for sport and recreation held in London in conjunction with the opening of the Canada Games. The ministers discussed a Canadian Sport Policy, the future of the Canada Games and expressed concern about the levels of physical inactivity, especially among children and youth.
"The provinces have shared concerns and, by working together and with the federal government, I am sure we can tackle the issues facing us in sport and recreation," said Minister Shea. "One exciting development is the high level of support that ministers expressed for the National Recreational Roundtable on Active School Communities which is being held this October in Charlottetown. The role that school communities play in promoting physical activity is a key consideration in making our population more active."
The provincial and territorial ministers and the federal sport minister adopted the precedent-setting London Declaration on expectations for fairness in sport. The declaration is a significant step in entrenching ethical behaviour in sport at all levels. The declaration illustrated the ministers' commitment to the importance of ethics in sport and reflects their expectation that sport can help to make significant changes to attitudes in society. Among other requirements is the need for all who participate in sport to receive fair treatment in a safe and welcoming environment, free of harassment and abuse.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to addressing unacceptably low levels of physical activity across Canada. They approved a comprehensive work plan aimed at reducing physical inactivity levels which includes the identification of programs to assist children and youth and other disadvantaged Canadians.
Minister Shea expressed support for a decision of the sport and recreation ministers to meet annually. "This decision certainly shows that sport, recreation and fitness issues are important for governments across the country." The next meeting of ministers responsible for sport and recreation will be held next spring in Nunavut, and they will continue to work on the Canadian Sport Policy and the inactivity concerns.