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Public
Health Agency of Canada
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February
22, 2014 10:15 ET
Government
of Canada Launches The Play Exchange, Canada's Active Living Challenge
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 22, 2014) - Public Health Agency of Canada
Preventing
chronic illnesses, like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, is one of the public
health challenges of our times. How do we get more Canadians active? What can
we do to encourage children and youth to spend less time on the couch? When it
comes to encouraging physical activity, we're all in this together.
Today,
Minister Ambrose and partners are launching, The Play Exchange, a first
of its kind partnership that will ask Canadians to submit their ideas of how we
can be more active.
The Play
Exchange will select Canadian judges, who will review all submissions and pick
the top ideas. Business and Community leaders will work with the
"innovators" to help develop their ideas and project proposals.
These top
ideas will be showcased on national television in January 2015 when Canadians
from across the country will have the chance to vote for what they think is the
best idea. The winner will receive up to $1 million to launch their project.
Quick Facts
- Children who are overweight or obese are at high risk for serious childhood diseases like pre-diabetes, asthma, joint problems, and liver disease. They have an 80 per cent chance of becoming obese adults, and may show heart disease as early as age 25.
- Only 4 percent of Canadian children are getting the recommended amount of daily physical activity.
- Three in five adult Canadians are living with a chronic illness such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
- One in four adults in Canada is overweight or obese and a third of all children and youth are already overweight or obese.
- 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.
- It is time to get Canadians to be more active. Time to get creative, time for the Play Exchange.
- The Play Exchange will accept applications until June 18th, 2014, the winning idea will be judged and voted on and announced in January 2015.
- Please visit www.playexchange.ca, for more information and updates.
Quotes
"The
Play Exchange is the
first of its kind in Canada, harnessing our country's innovative spirit and
capitalizing on the momentum we already have in our country to encourage
children and youth and all Canadians to be more active. We want to hear
directly from Canadians on how best to make Canada healthier. I encourage
everyone to participate in this unique initiative and look forward to
supporting the winning idea with up to $1 million to implement their
innovation."
The
Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister
of Health
"Our
Government is committed to promoting healthy living and healthy weights, and
preventing chronic disease for all Canadians. Together with our partners in the
not for profit and private sector, we are proud to launch this exciting new
initiative, which we hope will engage Canadians of all ages in finding creative
and healthy ways to become more active."
The
Honourable Bal Gosal
Minister
of State (Sport). Bramalea-Gore-Malton (Ontario)
"We
are passionate about sport and encouraging play because both are an important
part of a healthy community, strong families, and a strong country. The Play
Exchange is a great complement to Canadian Tire's community involvement
including We All Play for Canada, Jumpstart, which helps families afford to put
their kids in organized sport and recreation, and Active At School. We are
excited to support an innovative program where Canadians from coast-to-coast
can bring forward their ideas to get our country moving."
Allan
MacDonald, President,
Canadian
Tire Retail
"By
bringing partners from the public, private and non-profit sectors together, The
Play Exchange is changing the way we improve healthy, active living in Canada.
Through this challenge, we are empowering Canadians to play an integral role in
our country's health and prosperity. We believe The Play Exchange will spark a
national conversation on the important role individuals can play in finding
effective and innovative solutions for a healthier Canada."
Bruce
Dewar, Chief Executive Officer
LIFT
Philanthropy Partners
Related Products
Associated Links
Contact
Information
- Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-2983
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