While I took a serious look at running for the Conservative leadership, my advisers and I concluded I’d contribute more in public service by continuing an initiative whose roots began right here in West Vancouver.
It was 10 years ago, on the eve of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when as Member of Parliament I invited Nancy Greene Raine and other panellists to discuss what should be the legacy of the Games. Nancy surprised us all. “It was not just about podiums or medals,” she said, “but about raising the level of health and fitness for all Canadians.”
That need has only grown in the time since the Games. Trends of sedentary behaviour, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental illness have got steadily worse, as our health care costs have steadily climbed.
Canada ranks poorly against other nations: out of 49 countries, 12th in physical activity, 24th in sedentary behaviour, and 45th for active transportation.
• 90% of our children do not get enough daily physical activity.
• Over 72% of our children are staring at screens more than two hours daily.
• Urbanization has made children less active in the outdoors.
• Since 1979, the percentage of our children that are overweight or obese has tripled to approximately one in three, increasing the likelihood of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other bad conditions.
• Canadians of all ages are experiencing increasing levels anxiety and depression.
Obesity costs Canadian taxpayers up to $7 billion annually.
Here on the North Shore we have a concentration of leaders dedicated to active citizens and active citizenship, a mantra of the National Health and Fitness Institute. Our institute is a charitable foundation I initiated since leaving office to “Make Canada the Fittest Nation on Earth.”
As the head of this ambitious organization, I’m fortunate to live here, where we have organizations like Fit Fellas, HUB Cycling, Rotary Ride for Rescue, West Van Run, and countless others aimed at getting average Canadians out the door. As a consequence, we have a more vibrant community, less isolation, and healthier citizens who are role models for other Canadians.
Getting back to the Conservative leadership race, I published a bold challenge which would have been my platform. It suggested an invigorating new definition of “Conservative” that linked individual excellence to collective responsibility as vital ingredients of a sustainable society. Getting Canadians more physically active was one of the key planks in that platform. Not just for the sake of the Party, but for the good of all Canadians, I hope those who run will take up that call to action.
Kennedy pledged to land a man on the moon. Whoever he or she is, of whatever party, our next prime minister can do something even more ambitious: landing all Canadians at a place where we’ll be healthier and fitter, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Otherwise, we’ll continue down the absurd, abysmal, self-destructive road we’re on.
John Weston practices law at Pan Pacific Law Corp. and is the volunteer president of the National Health and Fitness Institute. He served 2008-2015 as member of Parliament for West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country.
