Federal Election 2011
Canadian Parks and Recreation Association letter to Party Leaders requesting position on CPRA's priority concerns
April 14, 2011
Insert Address
Dear (Insert Party Leaders’ Name)
On behalf of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), I am pleased to share our priority concerns in the context of the present election campaign.
CPRA is a national voluntary-sector organization dedicated to realizing the full potential of parks and recreations services as a major contributor to community health and vibrancy. Our members are parks and recreation professionals represented in over 2,600 communities in Canada.
We appreciate the ongoing interest that your Party has demonstrated in the parks and recreation sector. We know that you appreciate the significant contribution an active lifestyle makes to the overall health and productivity of Canadians.
Federal policy and support for our sector has a significant impact on what we can achieve and so we welcome an opportunity to dialogue on our priority issues within the context of this election campaign.
To assist our members in understanding your Party’s position on a number of key issues, we would respectfully request a written response to the questions outlined below. We will share your response with our membership across the country.
Infrastructure
Canada is facing an infrastructure deficit of over $123 billion. For recreation facilities alone, not including parks, the deficit sits above $24 billion. At the same time, the fiscal imbalance for municipalities continues to grow. The property tax base is not increasing at a rate that is commensurate with the budgetary needs of municipalities. They are deferring essential infrastructure repair and replacement.
Please share with us your Party’s position in regard to investing in community infrastructure through programs such as RInC?
Healthy Canadians
Canada is facing a perfect storm: an obesity epidemic, which is a major cause of chronic illness, and an aging population. It is estimated that chronic illness costs governments about $200 billion annually and the private sector loses another $30 billion in reduced productivity. Our health care system cannot support both an aging population and a population crippled by preventable chronic diseases caused by obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
CPRA supports FPT Ministers’ Declaration on Prevention and Promotion. CPRA also supports the recommendations of the Caledon Institute to put a halt to escalating transfer payments for healthcare. Instead, Ottawa should make a sea change in policy by keeping transfer payments at current levels, but focusing more resources on promoting health rather than treating illness.
Please share with us your Party’s position on how you will incorporate prevention and promotion into a sustainable health care strategy?
Inclusion
It is well known that the benefits of a healthy recreation system transfer to a healthy society and environment. The inclusion of all individuals from all income levels, all abilities and all cultures in recreation is essential to any national recreation strategy. In addition, it is critical to ensure that all communities, including rural, remote and aboriginal, have the capacity to offer a strong recreational system. These factors are critical to addressing a number of other societal challenges.
Please outline your Party’s plan to ensure that all Canadians in all communities have access to strong and sustainable recreation systems.
On behalf of CPRA, I thank you for taking the time to share your position on these issues of importance. We appreciate your dedication to a strong and healthy Canada through your pursuit of public office.
Sincerely,
Shelley Shea
Chair
