Government

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

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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.

The Sandbox Project Supported Initiative Officially Announced

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.”

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

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.”