The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:

Mr. Speaker, since COVID-19 has changed our lives, active living has become even more important, and encouraging people to live a healthy lifestyle is a priority for our government. Active residents lead to stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities and they create positive and ever-lasting experiences.

This is why our government recently announced a multi-million dollar investment to upgrade and connect a trail to a continuous 4.8 kilometre active transportation route in St. John’s.

Once complete, residents will benefit from a multi-purpose path that will connect different neighbourhoods and connect the east and west ends of St. John’s.

Mr. Speaker, we also recently announced over $2 million for the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Sport. This funding will help maintain jobs, support business continuity, and provide short-term operational viability for sport and recreation organizations across the province.

Mr. Speaker, sports facilities are important hubs for our communities. They provide inclusive places to gather and connect, while promoting active and healthy lifestyles. For that reason, last week our government proudly contributed to a new sport multiplex facility in the Town of Gander, which includes a FIFA regulation-sized outdoor soccer field and an eight-lane 400-metre rubberized running track.

This is in addition to the necessary investments our government provided to support community arenas and pools throughout the province, including assisting with the financial shortfall facing The Works, which houses the Aquarena. I had the fortune of being at the facility last week with the Premier when the doors re-opened, to see the excitement and smiles on the faces of the many athletes as they got back in the water.

And late last week, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology released the country’s first-ever ‘24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults’. The new guidelines outline what adults should do daily to help achieve health benefits and help show what a healthy 24 hours looks like when it comes to physical activity, sedentary behaviours and sleep.

Mr. Speaker, as we maneuver into a new normal of living with COVID-19, let’s keep in mind how being active and on the move is so important to our overall health and well-being. Thank you.