Viceregal Patron: Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon
The Canadian Health and Fitness Institute (CHFI), is delighted to announce the Right Honourable Governor General Mary Simon as its official Vice-Regal Patron.CHFI welcomes this honour and her recognition of our mission to make Canada the fittest nation on Earth by 2030.
“We at CHFI are delighted by the honour that the Governor General has given us by becoming our viceregal patron" said John Weston, CHFI’s President.
"In her service to Canadians, she emphasizes several things that are core to our work, including mental health and wellness, reconciliation, and youth and education. We’re grateful she has seen merit in our work to improve the physical, mental, and spiritual health of all Canadians.” Weston added.
Governor General Simon has gained national and international recognition for her work on Arctic and Indigenous issues and for her efforts in advocating for Inuit rights, youth, education and culture. Along with fellow Indigenous leaders, Ms. Simon was also actively involved in the negotiations leading to the 1982 patriation of the Canadian Constitution, which formally entrenched Aboriginal and treaty rights in the supreme law of Canada. Her Excellency prioritizes diversity and inclusion; youth and education; climate change and the protection of our natural world; and mental health and wellness. These things align well with the mission and values of CHFI.
“The health and fitness of the country is truly an issue that warrants national attention. Having the Governor General agree to be CHFI’s patron demonstrates the importance of this cause" said Andrew Baker, Chief External Affairs Officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee and member of the CHFI Board of Advisors. Governor General Simon’s viceregal patronage comes hard on the heels of CHFI’s biggest project ever, logging over 400,000 hours of healthy physical activity.
This was part of a project to mark #LetsMoveCanada, National Indigenous Physical Activity Awareness Weekand National Health and Fitness Day.