After submitting his application Pre-budget memorandum For an active and healthy QuebecerThe Coalition for the Future of Sport and Physical Activity in Quebec (CASAPQ) has launched an urgent appeal to the government for a major investment of $242.8 million in sport and physical activity in Quebec's 2024-25 budget.
This call is intended to highlight the importance of sports and physical activity to the overall health and economic well-being of the province.
In the face of the alarming sedentary lifestyle crisis, the coalition stresses the need for immediate government action to encourage an active lifestyle from an early age. It calls for making the prevention of diseases linked to inactivity a priority, with a significant increase in the prevention budget, which currently represents only 2% of the health budget.
CASAPQ also highlights the importance of professionalizing the sports and physical activity environment to ensure high-quality, safe and accessible support for all. “This need translates into a call for multi-year, predictable financing necessary to support sustainable growth in this sector,” the coalition explained in a press release.
The coalition highlights that every dollar invested in sport and physical activity can generate up to $9.80 in economic benefits, “representing an unprecedented opportunity for the government to maximize its impact on public health and the economy.”
The coalition also insists that access to sports and physical activity must be equitable for all Quebecers, regardless of where they live or economic status. It highlights the urgent need to implement comprehensive policies that guarantee every citizen the opportunity to participate in regular physical activities that are beneficial to their mental and physical health. (NP)
