ActNow BC Tour

Act Now Tours 18 BC Communities

British Columbians of all ages will have a chance to learn more about the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle with the ActNow BC Road to Health Community Tour, a 9,000-square-foot travelling pavilion featuring interactive exhibits and informative displays, announced Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC.

“The healthy living message was shared with over 85,000 British Columbians who attended the ActNow BC pavilion during our 2007 tour, and we will build on that success this year,” said Hogg. “Healthy eating, increased physical activity, eliminating tobacco use and healthy pregnancies are our four pillars to increased longevity. We want to be the healthiest region ever to host an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by 2010, and this year’s tour will help us achieve that goal.”

The pavilion will visit 18 communities starting today at Vancouver’s B.C. Place Stadium and finishing in Penticton at the Union of B.C. Municipalities at the end of September. Travelling with the pavilion will be 15 ActNow BC tour staff, who will promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, assist visitors in finding easy and practical tips for better health and nutrition, and connect British Columbians to the resources available in their own communities.

“The BC Healthy Living Alliance (BCHLA) is proud to be a partner with ActNow BC and the Road to Health Community Tour, which will be visiting communities across the province,” said Jean Blake, chair for the BC Healthy Living Alliance. “BCHLA is delivering initiatives in many of those same communities to build knowledge and skills and create the conditions for British Columbians to make healthier choices.”

This year’s tour will feature the ActNow BC Passport to Health, which will help guide participants through the exhibit’s activity stations. Participants will be encouraged to complete the ActNow BC Healthy Living Pledge and be eligible for prizes.

“Once again, the ActNow BC Road to Health Community Tour will aim to get more British Columbians involved in leading healthier lives,” said Dr. Art Hister, Global TV Morning News health reporter and ActNow BC Leadership Council member. “Research shows that increased physical activity, elimination of tobacco use and healthy eating can decrease your chances of developing chronic diseases and, ultimately, your body, mind, spirit and family will thank you for it.”

ActNow BC is the provincial government’s health and wellness initiative that works together with government ministries, the health sector and partners to deliver programs and services that encourage healthy choices for all British Columbians.

For more information on ActNow BC and to take the ActNow BC Healthy Living Pledge: visit www.actnowbc.ca.