NEWS RELEASE: BCHLA Congratulates the Province on the Speech to the Throne
News Release
BC Speech to the Throne invests in British Columbians
Vancouver (February 14, 2008) “The BC Healthy Living Alliance applauds the BC Government on promoting the health of British Columbians,” said Jean Blake, Chair of the BC Healthy Living Alliance (BCHLA). “Dollars spent on chronic disease prevention are an investment in British Columbia and the Government’s Throne Speech invests in key areas for a healthier BC – healthy eating, physical activity and living smoke free.”
BCHLA supports the policies in the recent Speech to the Throne that make it easier for British Columbians to get active, make healthier eating a part of their lives and become smoke free, including:
- Keeping communities connected, walkable and bikable.
- Prioritizing the health of our children through increased physical activity in schools, Walking School Bus and Bicycle Train programs that will keep kids active and breathing easier.
- Continuing the battle against junk food in schools through guidelines and the elimination of trans fats in restaurants
- Ensuring that children are protected from second hand smoke in all areas of their lives – legislation banning smoking in vehicles where children are present.
About 1.2 million people in British Columbia suffer from one or more chronic conditions which are hard to cure. These often could have been prevented by addressing the common risk factors of tobacco use, unhealthy weights, unhealthy eating, and physical inactivity.
“The BC Healthy Living Alliance strongly supports the Government’s stand against tobacco use and junk food, and their support for more walkable communities,” said Ms. Blake. “Our alliance has been advocating for these measures as a united voice for health promotion; this Government has been listening. The policies put forward in the Government’s Speech to the Throne will create a climate where making the healthy choice is the easy choice for BC families.”
The BC Healthy Living Alliance is the largest health promotion team ever assembled in the history of BC. It was formed in 2003 with a mission to lead collaborative actions to promote physical activity, healthy eating and living smoke-free in order to improve the overall health of British Columbians.
For more information on the BC Healthy Living Alliance visit: www.bchealthyliving.ca.
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Contact:
Rita Koutsodimos, Manager Communications
BC Healthy Living Alliance
Tel: 604-629-1630 Mobile: 604-989 4546
rkoutsodimos (at) bchealthyliving (dot) ca
