Fact Sheet

Funding to Active and Safe for Life – Physical Literacy

News Release: Harper Government Supports Safe Play for Children and Youth

Unintentional Injuries among Children and Youth in Canada

Sports- and recreation-related injuries make up a significant proportion of unintentional injuries for children and youth up to age 19. In fact, 40% of child and youth injuries treated in Canadian emergency departments are sport and recreation related. While the Government of Canada encourages Canada’s children and youth to become more active and live healthy lifestyles, it is also important they are safe while being active. 

Through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Active and Safe injury prevention initiative, the Government of Canada is investing $5 million over two years to support a number of community-based projects that empower Canadians to make safe choices when they get involved in sports and recreational activities. Today’s announcement of nearly $200,000 will support a project that enhances skills, knowledge and attitudes of children and youth, known as physical literacy, so they can be active and safe while participating in sports and recreational activities.

Active and Safe for Life – Physical Literacy Project

This project will be led by Canadian Sport for Life, with support from Canadian Sport Centre Pacific in partnership with Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, Physical & Health Education Canada, Lakehead University, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the Play Safe Initiative, Respect Group Inc., the Sandbox Project, the BC Sport Agency and Sport Newfoundland and Labrador.

Project activities include:

  • integrating injury prevention messaging into physical literacy materials previously developed by these organizations;
  • facilitating the adoption of recommendations for the appropriate use of sport equipment and facilities for 30 sports; and
  • reviewing the rules of play in four sports (soccer, lacrosse, rugby and baseball) to increase injury prevention awareness and promotion.

Page details

Date modified: