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The Sandbox Project’s Letter to Honourable Deb Matthews

June 13, 2013

The Sandbox Project’s Growing Healthy Bodies Working Group responds to the No Time to Wait: The Healthy Kids Strategy

Dear Honorable Minister, 

On behalf of The Sandbox Project, we would first like to commend you on forming the Ontario Healthy Kids Panel to address a very important issue to all Canadians including Ontario: kid’s health. As a national child and youth health charity we are encouraged that you have made this a priority to invest in the health of children as they truly are our future. While this report is a valuable resource that identified the status of Ontario children’s health, there are some issues that have been identified by our Growing Healthy Bodies Working Group experts that we would like to bring to your attention.

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The Globe and Mail: Canada is a laggard on children’s health. We need to do better – The Sandbox Project

June 11, 2013

The Globe and Mail’s André Picard writes about Canada’s ranking when it comes to kids’ health and The Sandbox Project

With the desk-banging, heckling and mock outrage that passes for debate in Question Period, the ham-fisted attempts to steal from the cookie jar that is the public treasury and the almost laughable denials of the obvious, the antics of Parliamentarians can, at times, seem childish.

So it is nice to see that someone has thought it fit to set up a big sandbox near Parliament Hill – complete with pails and shovels – and invite MPs and Senators alike to come play.

The “world’s biggest sandbox” (as it is billed) is not designed to mock the foibles of elected officials but rather to engage them, to remind them that, when it comes to kids’ health, Canada can do a lot better.

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The Sandbox Project calls for support for the CHILD Study

February 13, 2013

The Sandbox Project’s Environment Working Group writes a letter to encourage the continuation of the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study

Dear Honorable Minister,

On behalf of The Sandbox Project, we wish to draw your attention to, and encourage your support for, the continuation of the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study, an internationally recognized, longitudinal population-based birth cohort investigating the origins of chronic childhood illnesses.   The CHILD Study represents a key tool for understanding the impact of the environment on children’s health, and the epidemic of asthma, allergy and many other chronic diseases of later childhood and adulthood in Canada. The mission of The Sandbox Project is to make Canada the healthiest place on earth for kids to grow up – what can be learned from the CHILD Study is critical if we hope to succeed.

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The Sandbox Project Supported Initiative Officially Announced

October 7, 2012

Regarding Safe Kids Canada’s Enabling Active and Safe Cycling for Canadian Children and Youth Project

Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, today announced on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, support for a project to reduce cycling injuries by promoting safe and healthy cycling practices among children and youth.

“High speeds, lack of equipment and limited experience can lead to cycling injuries,” said Parliamentary Secretary Carrie. “Today’s investment will provide young Canadians and their families with cycling skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe from injury while leading an active, healthy lifestyle.”

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The Sandbox Project Partner – The Canadian Obesity Network presents: Pediatric Weight Management In Focus

February 7, 2012

The Canadian Obesity Network announces the Pediatric Weight Management in Focus training session

What: A practical, interdisciplinary training session for primary care clinicians with an interest in enhancing the weight management care they provide to children and youth (and their families) with obesity.

When: April 2-4, 2012

Where: Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver, BC

Who: Any primary care clinician (e.g., dietitians, nurses, psychologists, physicians, kinesiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and social workers)

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The Sandbox Project applauds Harper government’s investment in children & youth injury prevention initiative

January 11, 2012

The Sandbox Project applauds the federal government’s investment of $5 million over two years to support injury prevention initiatives for children and youth

As one of the central pillars of The Sandbox Project; injury prevention, especially in the areas of concussions, drowning and fractures, is critical to providing safe environments for Canada’s kids to grow up healthy and active.

“Increasing awareness of injury prevention strategies is critical to providing parents, caregivers, coaches and educators with the tools they need to help keep Canadian children and youth safe said Dr. Kellie Leitch, paediatric orthopaedic surgeon and founder of The Sandbox Project. “We applaud the government’s engagement of non-governmental organizations and their networks in this initiative to help ensure that information on preventable injuries and best practices reach those who need it most.”

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