Conference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation

Lethbridge, Alberta, June 9, 2016 – Today, at the conference of the federal,  provincial and territorial (F-P/T) Ministers responsible for sport, physical  activity and recreation, Ministers re-affirmed their commitment to work  together to advance health-enhancing sport and physical activity and recreation  in Canada.  

Ministers acknowledged that concussions are an important public  health issue that will benefit from effective multi-sectoral collaboration. F-P/T  Ministers have a critical role to play in the sport, physical activity and  recreation sectors and recognized the significant efforts already underway in  many jurisdictions. Ministers  directed officials to align  efforts amongst F-P/T governments and stakeholders in the sport, recreation, education  and health sectors in the areas of awareness, prevention, detection, management  and surveillance.  A key component of this  collaborative work is the development of return-to-learn and return-to-play  protocols by the Public Health Agency of Canada, as was announced in the  federal Budget in March 2016. Ministers asked officials to report on progress  at their next conference in July 2017.  

Safety in sport was discussed extensively at the conference with Ministers approving aligned standards to  promote safety in combative sports across all jurisdictions in Canada.  Ministers approved the creation of a Committee of Canadian Athletic Sport  Commissions to facilitate communication and cooperation in the implementation  of the pan-Canadian standards and in the supervision of professional combat  sports in each province and territory. As well, they endorsed the proposed  amendments to section 83 of the Criminal Code relating to Prize Fights.

Ministers  also received a progress report on work to develop a pan-Canadian physical  activity framework to encourage and support Canadians to become more active  throughout all stages in life, including by applying forward-looking, emerging  approaches to engage Canadians in active, healthy living. Ministers agreed on  an approach to consult stakeholders and asked officials to continue to develop  the framework, with a view to address coherence across existing sport, physical  activity and recreation frameworks, policies and strategies*. Following  consultations, the framework will be presented to Ministers in July 2017.

Ministers  heard a presentation profiling success stories related to the implementation of  the Framework for Recreation in Canada*. Ministers requested officials to  provide a comprehensive report in 2017 and supported an opportunity for the  sector to engage with the Framework through a National Recreation Summit in  2017.

Preliminary evaluation findings and an update on progress on the  implementation of the Canadian Sport Policy were presented to Ministers. This  presentation also provided a platform for the discussion and approval of a set of principles for  establishing F-P/T Priorities for Collaborative Action in Sport for the period  2017-2022. Ministers requested that officials prepare the new set of Priorities  for consideration at their next meeting.

Reflecting  governments' increased commitment to promoting sport, physical activity and  recreation among Indigenous Peoples, Ministers received presentations on the  status of Indigenous sport development  as well as a progress report on the 2017 North  American Indigenous Games, to be hosted in Toronto and their impact on  Indigenous sport development. Ministers agreed on the importance of  collaboration with Indigenous Peoples for increasing opportunities for  participation in sport, physical activity and recreation.

Ministers  discussed sport and recreation infrastructure needs, and agreed that this is crucial  issue in communities in all jurisdictions. In highlighting recent  infrastructure funding announcements across the country, Ministers agreed to  continue working towards dedicated resources for sport and recreation  infrastructure.
Ministers  also provided updates on the status of sport, physical activity, recreation and  special initiatives, and discussed approaches to address pressing issues. Ministers  expressed interest in strengthening the relationship with the education sector  in each respective jurisdiction; working towards a coordinated understanding of  physical literacy; and strengthening participation amongst women and girls and  other under-represented groups. They are committed to working together with the  sector using innovative approaches to make  opportunities for sport, physical activity and recreation participation more  inclusive.

The  next meeting of F-P/T ministers is scheduled to take place in July 2017, just  prior to the Winnipeg 2017 Canada Summer Games in Manitoba.

*Although Quebec is not opposed to the principles underlying these  frameworks, it has its own programs, action plans, objectives and targets for  the promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyle, all areas which are  Quebec's responsibility. The Government of Quebec does not participate in  federal, provincial and territorial initiatives in this area, but agreed to  exchange information and best practices with other governments.

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CONTACT  INFORMATION:

Ashley    Michnowski
Office of the    Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of    Sport and Persons with Disabilities
819-934-3411

Office    of the Honourable Jane Philpott
Health    Canada
613-957-0200

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
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Media    Relations
Public    Health Agency of Canada
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