Harper Government Teams Up With Right To Play and the Private Sector to Fund Diabetes Prevention Among Urban First Nations, Metis and Inuit Youth / MLSE Foundation and Tim Hortons among private partners

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 06/19/13 -- The Honorable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced an investment to support a program to address diabetes prevention and healthy living among urban First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth.

"Our government is pleased to work with the private sector, to identify integrated ways to promote healthy living and to prevent chronic diseases", said the Honorable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities healthy."

The Federal Government joins the MLSE Foundation, Tim Hortons and Jamie MacDonald, Professional Photographer and Videographer as investors in Right To Play's Play For Prevention program, which will employ sport and play-based tools to promote education and awareness for diabetes prevention. The program will enhance leadership skills among urban Aboriginal youth, providing them with knowledge on active and healthy living under Right To Play's Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program.

"The launch of Play For Prevention marks another milestone in our Canadian programming" said Johann Olav Koss, President and CEO of Right To Play. "The diverse range of stakeholders, including the Federal Government, is a testament to the success and impact of our partnerships. We're excited to give Aboriginal youth living in urban settings the knowledge, encouragement and leadership skills to improve the health of their communities."

"After witnessing the positive impact that Right To Play is helping to generate in First Nations, I am pleased this program will expand into additional urban centres," said Stan Beardy, Ontario Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. "The PLAY program leverages our great culture and identity and is a key factor in successfully building a brighter future for Aboriginal youth."

The expected results of the project will focus on increasing participation and engagement of off-reserve Aboriginal youth in physically active play, building knowledge of diabetes prevention and healthy living behaviours, and improving the abilities of Community Mentors to promote diabetes prevention and awareness.

The Government of Canada is committed to working collaboratively across all sectors to promote programs and activities that support healthy living, physical activity and chronic disease prevention. For more information please visit: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fo-fc/mspphl-pppmvs-eng.php

Egalement offert en francais

FACT SHEET

HEALTHY LIVING:

PUBLIC - PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVING AND CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION

Promoting healthy living and diabetes prevention among urban First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth

Physical activity plays an important role in the health, well-being and quality of life of Canadians and helps to prevent chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The Government of Canada is advancing innovative multi-sectoral partnerships, particularly with the private sector, to promote healthy living and reduce obesity and other risk factors that can lead to more serious health problems. Everyone has a role to play in promoting healthy living.

The Play For Prevention program will:

--  Use Right To Play's play-based approach to learning to address the gaps
    in diabetes prevention among urban First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth;

--  Expand on existing Right To Play's diabetes resources and create a more
    comprehensive cultural resource;

--  Train Community Mentors from each urban Aboriginal organization to pilot
    the Play For Prevention program;

--  Support the Community Mentors in launching the Play For Prevention
    program using a series of inter-generational tournaments to promote
    physical activity;

--  Support Community Mentors in engaging youth in planning and leading
    events that focus on diabetes prevention.

Funding:

--  The Public Health Agency of Canada -- $475,625
--  MLSE Foundation -- $393,175
--  Tim Hortons -- $72,450
--  Jamie MacDonald, Professional Photographer and Videographer -- $10,000

Total: $951,250

Contacts:
Health Canada
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
[phone]

Public Health Agency of Canada
Media Relations
[phone]