Minister's Conference in Corner Brook
SPORT/RECREATION COMMISSION-Minister's Conference in Corner Brook
Federal, provincial, territorial ministers responsible for sport, recreation and fitness met today in Corner Brook on the eve of the Canada Games which begin tomorrow in the Newfoundland city.
Issues discussed include the future of the Canada Games, initiatives under way to reach the goal of reducing inactivity by 10 per cent by the year 2003; initiatives to improve access to sport; physical activity and recreation for Aboriginal peoples; the elimination of harassment and abuse in sport and recreation; and ways of excluding amateur combative sport from the Criminal Code provisions.
The ministers reaffirmed their long-term support for the Canada Games as an important sport institution. They also supported the current frequency and hosting rotation of the Canada Games. The ministers also urged the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to increase its coverage of amateur sport.
Ministers gave an update on a number of ongoing activities related to the initiative they undertook at the 1997 conference to reduce physical inactivity by 10 per cent by the year 2003.
They agreed that partnerships with their colleagues in other departments within their jurisdictions, as well as discussions with non-governmental agencies, need to be undertaken with a view to removing barriers to physical activity and recreation faced by children and youth living in poverty.
The ministers discussed current research related to physical activity levels of Canadian children and youth and directed their officials to develop a discussion paper that would be the basis for the agenda of a recreation roundtable on children and youth to be held in 2000.
In an effort to improve access to sport for Aboriginal peoples, the ministers reviewed a discussion paper prepared by the Aboriginal Sport Circle. Each jurisdiction agreed to develop its own approach and funding level to advance the development of Aboriginal sport through coaching development, establishment of Aboriginal sport organizations or the equivalent, and Aboriginal team participation in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). The ministers demonstrated their commitment to the NAIG by adopting a number of principles as a basis for developing a multi-party funding agreement when the Games are hosted in Canada. In addition, each jurisdiction agreed to develop its own approach and funding level to advance the development of Aboriginal sport through coaching development and the establishment of Aboriginal sport organizations or the equivalent.
The minister also discussed the importance of improving access to recreation and physical activity initiatives for Aboriginal peoples. The ministers endorsed an upcoming recreation roundtable on Aboriginal recreation and physical activity planned for November, 1999. The ministers supported a recommendation that the findings of the roundtable be considered at their next conference.
To assist in the elimination of harassment and abuse in recreation, sport and physical activity, the ministers agreed to emphasize prevention through education and awareness strategies. As well, the ministers agreed to encourage national and provincial fitness, sport and recreation organizations to develop further resource materials and increase vigilance against harassment and abuse.
The ministers discussed ways to exclude amateur combat sports from Criminal Code of Canada provisions aimed at deterring "no holds barred" combat such as ultimate fighting. They agreed to solicit the support of their justice colleagues in advancing an amendment to the Criminal Code aimed at protecting legitimate amateur combative sports from prosecution under the prize fight provision.
The ministers talked about the Physical Activity Benchmark Program that was created to enable governments to measure their progress in meeting the 10 per cent physical inactivity target. They recommended that a portion of the newly committed federal government resources for health research and reporting be designated for studying the benefits, and measuring the impacts of preventive health initiatives related to physical activity, in particular for children and youth.
Presentations were made on the launch and distribution of Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living and the work in progress to develop guide supplements for older adults to be released May, 1999, and for children and youth to be released in the year 2000. Many provinces and territories have developed tools and resources for use in their own jurisdictions aimed at increasing physical activity.
The ministers have asked that strategies be developed to improve communications and linkages in sport-related activities between national, provincial and territorial sport bodies, and colleges and universities.
The ministers will meet again in London, Ont. in 2001.
NOTE: Robbie Harrison, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission, is available to comment on the meeting and news release. Mr. Harrison can be reached at the Glynmill Inn in Corner Brook, 709-634-5181.