FRANCAIS

November 19, 2004

Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald has announced the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force is off and running by confirming public meeting locations, releasing the task force’s discussion paper and launching its website.

"The all-party task force will soon be hitting the road to hear the advice of Manitobans in order to find ways to establish long-term living patterns that will improve the health of our citizens," said Oswald. "I encourage all Manitobans to review the discussion paper, access the website and submit their ideas and suggestions either at the public meetings, through the Internet, or by providing written submissions."

The all-party task force will tour the province and hold a series of consultations asking Manitobans to provide their views on how to keep children and youth active and healthy. In addition to public meetings, the task force will also be visiting schools and holding a youth forum in order to hear directly from youth themselves.

January 2005 meetings will all be from 7 - 9:30 p.m. and will include the following communities:

·         Winnipeg (first of two meetings) – Tuesday, Jan. 11, Fort Rouge Recreation and Leisure Centre, 625 Osborne St.;

·         St. Anne – Tuesday, Jan. 18, Club Jovial, 157 Central Ave.; and

·         Arborg – Tuesday, January 25, Arborg Community Hall, Ingolfs Street.

Additional meetings and locations will be announced in the new year.

The Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force will be examining issues of physical activity and nutrition including:

·         determining what current community, in-school and government initiatives on activity and nutrition best serve the needs of Manitoba youth,

·         exploring the barriers that keep young people from leading active, healthy lives, and

·         providing a forum where Manitobans can share ideas on how to tackle the important issues of childhood nutrition and activity as they relate to the health and wellness of children.

The members of the all-party task force to be chaired by Oswald also include:

·         Tom Nevakshonoff, MLA for Interlake;

·         Marilyn Brick, vice-chair, MLA for St. Norbert;

·         Andrew Swan, MLA for Minto;

·         Mavis Taillieu, MLA for Morris;

·         Cliff Cullen, MLA for Turtle Mountain; and

·         Jon Gerrard, MLA for River Heights.

Written submissions can be mailed to the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures All-Party Task Force, c/o 5 - 1577 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg MB  R3E 3J5. Submissions can also be made online at http://www.manitoba.ca/healthykids.  Electronic copies of the discussion paper are available on the same website. Individuals and groups wishing to make a presentation at one of the public meetings are asked to register by calling the toll-free number, 1-866-873-1642. Paper copies of the discussion paper are available by calling the same number.

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