Pioneering Health and Fitness Forum: #LetsMoveCanada
"West Vancouver Hosts Pioneering Health and Fitness Forum: #LetsMoveCanada Sparks Nationwide Engagement"
(West Vancouver, May 23, 2024). “It’s all about prevention.”
That was the succinct summation by Dr. Jack Taunton regarding the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute’s (CFHI’s) upcoming National Forum on Health and Fitness and the Let’s Move Canada Challenge. Dr. Taunton, a founding Director of CHFI, co-founder of sport medicine in Canada, and the originator of the Vancouver Sun Run, highlights the significance of this event and the calibre of presenters.
The National Forum promises a unique opportunity to hear from distinguished health and wellness professionals, celebrated athletes, and musical performers. Over three days, attendees will be inspired by speakers such as the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity; Madison Mailey, Olympic gold medalist; Mathieu Roy, CEO of Trans Canada Trail; and Shari Ulrich, Juno-award-winning musician.
The Medical Benefits of Exercise
May 28, 6pm-9pm
West Vancouver Community Centre
Co-hosted by Enhance West Van and CHFI
June 1, 9am-11am
Park Royal South (meet at the Park Royal atrium)
How Active Living Reduces Acute Care and Chronic Illness
June 1, 12pm-2:30pm
Park Royal South (atrium)
How to Get Youth Active in a Digital World
June 2, 1pm-3pm
Sentinel Secondary School Theatre
Attendance is free and seating is limited. Registration is at EventBrite.com; search “Canadian Health and Fitness Institute”.
“The health care system focuses almost exclusively on fixing problems after they arise,” said Taunton. “By promoting mental, physical, and spiritual health - by expanding people’s health-span, not just their life-span, we aim to stem the rising tide of screen addiction, sedentary behavior, obesity, diabetes, cardio disease, loneliness, mental illness, substance abuse, and unnecessary sickness care costs,” he added.
“I’m especially pleased that Canada’s first ever Minister of Physical Activity, Carla Qualtrough, will speak at the National Forum on Health and Fitness,” said John Weston, CHFI’s President. Along with then Senator Nancy Greene Raine, Weston launched the Bill that formalized the first Saturday in June each year as National Health and Fitness Day, which this year falls on June 1st.
“It’s essential that we find innovative approaches to enhance and inspire physical and mental health in our communities,” said Mark Sager, West Vancouver’s Mayor. “The knowledge and energy that will be shared at this Forum will benefit everyone in West Vancouver, the North Shore, Metro Vancouver, and throughout Canada. We’re thrilled to share our community with all Canadians.”
The National Forum supports the Let’s Move Canada Challenge, which also launches on June 1st. From June 1 - 21, CHFI and its partner the Indigenous Physical Activity & Cultural Circle invite all Canadians collectively to produce over 500,000 hours of healthy physical activity, a gain of 100,000 hours over last year. People participate by downloading the Strava App, then joining the “Let’s Move Canada 2024 Challenge”. Participants can send photos or tag @letsmovecanada. They can also win an iPad by entering a draw at chfi.fit.
CHFI is a national charitable foundation dedicated to Make Canada the Fittest Nation on Earth by 2030. It welcomes sponsorships and donations.
More information: chfi.fit / info@chfi.fit / 604 329 6146.