WEST Vancouver's MP is campaigning to make a national affair of his love of healthy living.
John Weston, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country's Conservative MP, has been writing to local governments throughout his riding and the surrounding area, asking them to proclaim the first Saturday of June National Health and Fitness Day, and to open the doors of their recreation facilities for free or at a reduced rate to entice people into a healthier lifestyle.
"We have lowering participation rates in health and fitness activities and increasing rates of obesity which of course leads to diabetes and other health issues. There are economic costs for Canadians who live less healthy lives," Weston said.
So far, the idea's had some buy-in from councils on the Sunshine Coast, Squamish, Whistler, Bowen Island and Lions Bay, though not all are ready to commit to free rec facility access.
"We're moving on various levels. I'm pleased to say eight out of 12 have already passed it, including the District of North Vancouver," Weston said.
In West Vancouver, the proposed national day falls on the district's 100th anniversary celebrations. District of West Vancouver council is expected to discuss the matter at its March 26 council meeting.
The North Vancouver Recreation Commission has been given the thumbs-up by council to start coming up with some ideas to mark the day.
"From a recreation perspective, we are on the planning stages of providing something that day," said Leslie June, the commission's manager of recreation and community services. "It's certainly something we believe in, and we will be doing some events at our various rec centres but I'm not sure what they are at this point."
Weston is also lobbying his fellow MPs on both sides of the aisle to adopt the plan and push it through Parliament in hopes of making it truly a national event.
"I intend to bring this in in the House (of Commons) in the next two weeks . . . and I'm hopeful that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will encourage its 2,000 members to embrace this idea," he said.
