All across Canada, Canadians showed their leadership and encouraged their members of Parliament (MPs) municipal governments and even their private gyms to throw unprecedented support behind National Health and Fitness Day.
Celebrations were nationwide last Saturday, June 2, from Pond Inlet, Nunavut to Yellowknife, Powell River, Whistler, West Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and Halifax.
National Health and Fitness Day was created to raise awareness about the importance of increasing our level of exercise, for personal, social, health and economic benefits.
West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country MP John Weston, who initiated National Health and Fitness Day, joined multiple events around the Vancouver area.
All municipal governments in his riding proclaimed National Health and Fitness Day.
Weston initiated a walk/run marshalled by Running Room with celebrity participants that included 2010 Olympic gold medalist Ashleigh McIvor (skicross), Vancouver Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Denis Lebel, and municipal leaders who were participating at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Vancouver.
Weston then joined West Vancouverites to celebrate as he ran the Ambleside Mile and met with constituents around the Ambleside area.
Weston headed to Lions Bay to join Trailblazers, Mayor Brenda Broughton for a hike of Trudi's Trail followed by a demonstration of cardio tennis.
"I am delighted that National Health and Fitness Day has rallied forces from coast to coast," Weston said. "We are on our way to making Canada the fittest nation on earth. This is crucial, as the people I represent and many other Canadians are concerned about declining rates in healthy physical activity, rising obesity rates and consequent increases in diabetes, cardiovascular and other chronic health problems. These health problems have direct and indirect economic costs, such as the $7 billion annually Canada spends in treating such cardiovascular and diabetes problems."
Weston has proposed that the House of Commons proclaim the day. His Private Member's Bill to that effect has been supported by MPs of the Conservative, NDP, Liberal, and Green parties.
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