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Correction: There was an error in the article about proposed amendments to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) in the last newsletter. Bill 173, a bill to amend the Highway Traffic Act, has not been passed as was stated in the article. In fact, it is currently at second reading in the house. We apologize for this error, and any confusion it may have caused. 
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The application for designation as a WALK Friendly Community will remain open until September 30th.
Communities intending to apply should click on the "Apply" tab at walkfriendly.ca , and follow the instructions to log in and create an account.
It takes a community to be walk friendly! Completing the application will require information from a variety of municipal staff and community partners. We suggest that you get your team together early to prepare. There is an Application Guide available to help get you started.
If you have any questions, contact Kate Hall at khall@greencommunities.org.
Don't delay, start your application today!
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2014 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card
In May 2014, the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card took a global look at how the physical activity of Canadian children and youth compares with 14 other countries. The 2014 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card: Is Canada in the Running? was released Tuesday, May 20th, and shows that Canada's Overall Physical Activity levels are at a D-.
In addition, Canada lags behind most of the international group in Active Transportation (D) and Sedentary Behaviours (F): - 62% of Canadian parents say their kids aged 5-17 years are always driven to and from school (by car, bus, transit, etc.).42
- Canadian kids aged 3-4 spend 5.8 hours a day being sedentary, those aged 5-11 spend 7.6 hours and those aged 12-17 spend 9.3 hours (2009-11 CHMS).
For most Canadians, the socially acceptable walking distance to school is less than 1.6 km, and distance between home and school is the single most reported reason why kids do not walk or bike to get there.69,82 In Finland, however, 74% of children who live between 1-3 km from school use active transport, and nearly all children living 1 km or less from their school commute actively. Finland is a world leader with a B in Active Transportation, in part because its social norms differ dramatically. Our country values efficiency - doing more in less time - which may be at direct odds with promoting children's health. We have engineered opportunities for spontaneous movement out of our kids' daily lives (such as getting to places on foot and playing outdoors), and have tried to compensate with organized activities such as dance recitals, soccer leagues and PE classes. To increase daily physical activity levels for all kids, we must encourage the accumulation of physical activity throughout a child's day, and consider a mix of opportunities (e.g., sport, active play, active transportation). In some cases, we may need to step back and do less. Developed societies such as Canada must acknowledge that children need room to move.
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Upcoming Webinars
Being WALK Friendly in Small Town Ontario
Tuesday, June 10th from 1:00-2:30 pm EST
Whether you live in a big city or a small town, we're all walkers! Walkability isn't just for big cities; small towns can also create safe, convenient, and inviting places to walk for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
Join Kate Hall, Program Manager of WFO, for a "how to" session on the WALK Friendly Community application.
Click here to register.
Showcasing Pedestrian Plans
Thursday, June 26th from 1:00-2:30 pm EST
Join Canada Walks for informative presentations from three WALK Friendly Community award recipients about their Pedestrian Plans.
- Steve Molloy Project Manager, Transportation Master Plan Implementation, City of Hamilton (Silver)
- Gill Wilson Project Manager, Sustainable Transportation, City of Ottawa (Silver)
- Doug Herron Senior Planner, Town of Wasaga Beach (Bronze)
Click here to register.
For more information on either of these webinars, please contact Tanya Stuart.
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If you have story ideas or walking news you'd like to share please send to us at asrts@sympatico.ca. Be sure to include your contact details. |
Canada Walks Walkolution News profiles actions across Canada undertaken by Green Communities Canada and our many local partners to help create communities where walking is safe, easy, enjoyable, and inviting. By making a donation to the Green Communities Foundation you can provide vital support for this work. Just click on the Donate Now button and indicate in the comments section that you'd like your gift to go to the work of Canada Walks.
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