GET ACTIVE THIS SUMMER

SummerActive 2005, a national program to help people improve their health and quality of life, runs from May 6th to June 20th this year.

SummerActive's annual promotion, organized by the Public Health Agency of Canada, is aimed at helping Canadians improve their health through regular physical activity, healthy eating and living tobacco-free.

"The SummerActive campaign helps people to find ways to become more active, leading to a healthier lifestyle," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "This year's campaign highlights how participation in sport activities can help people achieve health benefits."

Each year, hundreds of SummerActive events, programs and activities are organized by community leaders across the country in communities, sport and recreation centres, schools, workplaces, public health facilities and other community settings.

The goal is to raise awareness among Canadians to take their first steps to becoming more physically active and to spread the word that active living, healthy eating, and living smoke-free are all important parts of a healthy lifestyle.

On May 12th, the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) and Saskatchewan in motion are holding a kick-off event for SummerActive with a Walking Break in Estevan. SPRA is a non-profit volunteer organization whose purpose is to promote, develop and facilitate parks and recreation opportunities throughout the province. Saskatchewan in motion is a province-wide movement aimed at increasing physical activity for health benefits. Their vision is that the people of Saskatchewan will be the healthiest, most physically active in Canada.

Beginning May 6th, 2005, if you are physically active, participate in a sporting event, practice healthy eating and/or go tobacco-free during SummerActive (either alone or as part of an organized community event), you can register your participation on the SummerActive website at www.summeractive.canoe.ca. If you do, you will be eligible to win participant prizes as part of SummerActive 2005.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967