McGuinty  Government investment helping to keep visitors to MacGregor Point Park active - August 31, 2007

Communities In Action Fund Investing Even More Into Ontario Communities In 2007-08

Port Elgin– The McGuinty government is providing $6,350 to the Friends of MacGregor Point Park organization through the 2007-08 Communities in Action Fund (CIAF) to increase physical activity rates in the area, Carol Mitchell, MPP Huron-Bruce announced today on behalf of Minister of Health Promotion Jim Watson.

This pilot program will help to develop trail guides for the park in digital format that will provide the organization with the opportunity to expand the audience to include youth who are familiar with MP3 technology.

“CIAF grants are making it easier for residents of the community to become more active,” said MPP Carol Mitchell. “These grants will provide new and enhanced sport, recreation and physical activity programs that will improve the health and fitness of local families.”

The desired result of the program is to offer healthy alternatives for residents of the community that lead to increased physical activity and enforce the message that physical activity can be linked to learning and fun.

The Communities In Action Fund, now in its fourth year, is a $5 million program that has awarded more than $16 million to approximately 548 organizations at the local and provincial levels and has benefited approximately 1 million people. In March 2007, the Ontario government announced that the provincial budget had allocated an additional $2.5 million - for a total of $7.5 million - to the 2007-2008 fund.

The Communities In Action Fund is a key initiative of the government’s physical activity strategy and Ontario’s Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living. By improving opportunities for community sport and physical activity, CIAF helps to remove barriers to participation for children and youth, low-income families, aboriginal people, older adults, women and girls, visible/ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. Visit www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/sportandrec/fund.asp for details.

“Through CIAF, we partner with organizations that have already helped thousands of Ontarians to develop more healthy and active lifestyles,” said Watson. “I am looking forward to seeing the great work that organizations across the province will do in 2007-08 to make Ontarians even healthier.”

- 30 -
Contact:
Carol Mitchell,
MPP Huron-Bruce
519-482-5630