Participaction being phased out

[doreen T]

Participaction says it's running out of money WebPosted Sat Nov 25 2000
TORONTO - A federal agency assigned to get Canadians into shape is being phased out after 30 years.

Participaction says it hasn't been getting enough money from the federal government for years and only has enough to keep going for another month.
Participaction is a national, not-for-profit health promotion company. When it was established in 1971, it made a splash with the announcement that a 60-year-old Swede was in better shape than a 30-year-old Canadian.

Members of Participaction's board of directors say the program's demise couldn't come at a worse time.

"Inactivity levels are at their highest. Obesity levels are at their highest and the potential impact of Participaction is arguably at its highest," says board member Marcel Tremblay.

Tremblay says the organization asked for $2.5 million from Health Canada and was turned down.

"Health Canada says 'well look, things are worse than it was 30 years ago and it continues to get worse despite (Participaction's) efforts'. But I think that's a very myopic assessment of (Participaction's) contribution," says Tremblay.

[doreen T]

I still have my Participaction badge from way back. I had to keep a log of all the exercise/sport/activity I did, then handed it in to the school. Kids were awarded a badge - different colours depending on activity level - gold, silver, bronze, red and blue. Mine was bronze.

I think the demise of the Participaction program is just another sign of our time - the priority and push on our kids is toward technology. Art and music programs have been slashed, now physical fitness. The studies are proving that Canadian and American kids are getting fatter and less fit. *note the article I posted yesterday in the Media forum about Obesity in boys* .

Government and policy makers just don't get it. They are diverting billions of dollars into "health" care, which in my opinion should be renamed SICK care, and removing all investment in preventive measures that will keep tomorrow's consumers OUT of the health/sick care system. :mad:

Now I'm ranting. Better go have another coffee, and better yet, go for a long walk! ;)

Doreen