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ParticipACTION

physical activity

A Healthy Investment

ParticipACTION continues to advocate for sustained investment and effective policies and interventions on a national scale.

An aerial view of people swimming in a pool

Prioritizing Physical activity for an active, healthy and Strong Canada

Recommendation for Budget 2025

ParticipACTION has a proven track record of getting Canadians more physically active. We urge the Government of Canada to address the physical inactivity crisis by investing in ParticipACTION’s national leadership and impact.

Read our 2025 Federal Budget Submission

We have a physical inactivity crisis in Canada.

We believe an active life is a better life. Through collective action, everyone could have an equal opportunity to experience the health, social and economic benefits of physical activity.

Physical inactivity is costing Canada billions.

Physical inactivity costs our healthcare system over $3.9 billion annually and billions more in lost productivity.

%

Less than half of adults (49%)

meet recommended physical activity guidelines.

Only 39% of children and youth

meet recommended physical activity guidelines.

Aerial view of a man doing plyometrics jump squats up a staircase.

How investing in physical activity could make Canada healthier, wealthier and more connected

Disease Prevention
Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and several cancers.(1)
Lower risk of depression and dementia
There is approximately a 30% lower risk of depression and dementia for adults (on average) participating in daily physical activity.(2)
Connected communities
76% of adults in Canada feel welcomed and included through sport, physical activity, and recreation activities.(3)
Cost savings and reduced air pollution
If only 1% of people living in Canada switched from cars to active transportation (walking, cycling, etc.), it could save $564 million annually by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.(3)
Increased productivity
Physically active employees in Canada take 27% fewer days of sick leave, increasing productivity.(4)
Economic boost
The economic value of sport, physical activity and recreation has been estimated at $37.2 billion.(3)

Making physical activity a national priority

Now is not the time to pull back on investments in physical activity.
It’s time for governments to reinvest in physical activity and make it a national priority.

Physical inactivity is a growing public health issue that demands urgent attention. Canadians recognize the seriousness of the issue — 91% of 5,000 recently surveyed agree the Government of Canada should invest in funding, policies, and programs that support increased physical activity. Helping everyone become more active should be seen as smart economic decision that reduces health care costs and boosts productivity.

person in wheelchair on basketball court bouncing a basketball
A group of friends formed around in a circle performing high knees

Canada’s leading physical activity organization

ParticipACTION is Canada’s most recognized and trusted physical activity leader. For over 50 years we’ve been working together with the Government of Canada and our partners in the sport, physical activity and recreation sector to get people in Canada more active where they live, learn, work and play.
We thank the Government of Canada for its continued support of our national strategies and programs that promote and increase physical activity, and we urge ongoing support to ensure ParticipACTION’s long-term sustainability.

Reports and Resources

A graphic photo of a child jump roping

Budget 2025 Submission

Prioritizing Physical activity for an active, Healthy and Strong Canada

cover for Advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through Physical Activity: An Opportunity for Canada to Lead the Way

Advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through Physical Activity

An Opportunity for Canada to Lead the Way

scenes of children playing boy kicking a soccer ball in the sun, one jumping a log, and a young girl skipping in the rain with an umbrella

Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Rallying for Resilience: Keeping Children and Youth Active in a Changing Climate

A graphic photo of a child jump roping

Moving towards a new normal

The social climate of physical activity

A graphic photo of a child jump roping

The Cost of Inactivity

Measuring the Powerful Impact of Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in Canada

cover for Advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through Physical Activity: An Opportunity for Canada to Lead the Way

The Case for Physical Activity

A solution to keeping Canada moving forward

References

References
  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Health topics. Physical Activity.
  2. World Health Organization. (2022). Physical activity: Impact. Geneva: World Health Organization. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/physicalactivity#tab=tab_2
  3. Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI) and Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA). (2023). The Price of Inactivity: Measuring the Powerful Impact of Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in Canada. CFLRI & CPRA. Ottawa, ON, Canada. Retrieved from: https://measuring-impact.ca/ wpcontent/uploads/2023/11/CFLRI-CPRA_Price-Inactivity-Full-Report-EN-FINAL.pdf
  4. Public Health Agency of Canada. (2016). Business Case for Active Living at Work. Public Health Agency of Canada. Retrieved from: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/fitness/work/