Bill C-443

1st Session, 41st Parliament,

60-61 Elizabeth II, 2011-2012

house of commons of canada

BILL C-443

An Act to establish a National Health and Fitness Day

Whereas Canada’s mountains, oceans, lakes, forests, parks and wilderness offer recreational and fitness opportunities;

Whereas the Parliament of Canada wishes to increase awareness among Canadians of the significant benefits of physical activity and to encourage and assist Canadians to increase their level of physical activity and their participation in recreational sports and fitness activities;

Whereas it is in Canada’s interest to improve the health of all Canadians and to reduce the burden of illness on Canadian families and on the Canadian health care system;

Whereas many local governments in Canada have public facilities to promote health and practice fitness activities;

Whereas the Government of Canada wishes to encourage local governments to increase Canadians’ participation in healthy physical activities;

Whereas the Government of Canada wishes to encourage local governments in Canada to recognize the first Saturday in June, in each and every year, as National Health and Fitness Day and to make their health, recreational, sports and fitness facilities available to Canadians at a reduced rate or free of charge;

Whereas the first week of June is Environment Week in Canada, and walking and cycling are great ways to reduce vehicle pollution and improve physical fitness;

And whereas declaring the first Saturday in June to be National Health and Fitness Day will further public knowledge of a cost-effective personal health protection measure and increase participation in health and fitness activities;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the National Health and Fitness Day Act.

NATIONAL HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the first Saturday in June is to be known as “National Health and Fitness Day”.

3. The Government of Canada encourages the country's local governments to recognize the first Saturday in June, in each and every year, as National Health and Fitness Day and to make their health, recreational, sports and fitness facilities available to Canadians at a reduced rate or free of charge.

4. For greater certainty, National Health and Fitness Day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day.