Sport and Physical Activity makes a difference in:
- addressing the obesity and fitness crisis engulfing Canadian society;
- improving quality of life, overall health, and longevity for all Canadians;
- improving social cohesion and community spirit by means of volunteer activity;
- enhancing the integration and settlement of immigrants and new Canadians;
- enhancing the prospects and life-skills of at-risk groups such as disadvantaged youth, aboriginal and native populations, or the long-term unemployed; and,
- developing and cementing national pride and unity through the achievements of our high performance athletes.
Prioritizing sport and physical activity is about championing prevention, social inclusion, community spirit and national unity. Canada needs a National Sport and Physical Activity Strategy that would set clear national sport participation and physical activity targets, outline strategies built on successful Canadian and international approaches and mobilize investments accordingly.