My favourite vehicle is a bike. On a bike I visited Bowen last week. I use my bike for recreation, transportation, fitness, and fun. As a former Member of Parliament, I was known to “Ride the Riding.” In my campaign to serve again as Bowen’s representative in Parliament, you’ll see me on my bike from time to time.
I was delighted to see the re-opening of the Bowen Island Golf Course – congratulations to Bruce Russell and the amazing team that made that happen. I’m also pleased to hear of progress on the Cross-Island Trail, which seems like a great complement to the 47 or so kilometers of municipally owned trails, a good way to promote physical activity and to sustainably expand exposure to Bowen’s amazing nature.
Subject to economic, environmental, social and other considerations, we have to get behind initiatives that promote physical activity. Inactivity has hurt our people in alarming ways, some of which became more pronounced during the pandemic:
- 90 per cent of our children are not active enough;
- 70 per cent of children are on screens more than two hours daily;
- Children are increasingly disconnected from being active outdoors;Adult Canadians are less active than our children;
- One in three Canadian children is overweight or obese;
- Cardiovascular disease and diabetes plague inactive people;
- Productivity at work and effectiveness at school are negatively impacted.
One of the factors that motivated me to initiate the National Health and Fitness Day Act during my former term in Parliament and then to launch the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute is the staggering cost of health care – or “sickness care” – that relates to inactivity. Analysts believe the price tag exceeds $7 billion annually.
While committing to secure the future, get the economy back on track and creating jobs, I’m also pleased to see securing mental health as one of Erin O’Toole’s top priorities. “The last year has made clear the mental health crisis we face. It’s time to make it clear that mental health IS health, and to treat it properly,” Erin O’Toole has said. He has also affirmed the vision of the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute to “Make Canada the Fittest Nation on Earth by 2030.”
Finally, beyond the physical, mental, and spiritual health of our people, the outdoor recreation industry in Canada represents billions of dollars annually to the national economy.
The people of Bowen instinctively know these things; that’s why Bowen people choose to live in a place remarkable for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Together, the community has important things to say in leading Canadians to more active lives, for the improved physical, mental and spiritual health of everyone.
John Weston
John Weston is the Founder of the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute and the Conservative Candidate for Member of Parliament for Bowen Island and the whole riding: West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country.
