Healthy Living Accomplishments:

  1. B.C. has the lowest smoking rate in the country at 14.7 per cent. Between November 2008 and January 2009, approximately 7,000 British Columbians joined the QuitNow and Win contest to stop smoking.
  2. British Columbians are among the highest consumers of fruit and vegetables in Canada.
  3. B.C. schools are no longer allowed to sell junk food and have mandated physical activity for all K-12 students.
  4. British Columbians have the lowest adult self-reported obesity rates in Canada.
  5. B.C. hosts the highest physical activity rates in Canada for people 12 years of age and older.
  6. ActNow BC, the province’s healthy living initiative, is helping more British Columbians lead healthier lifestyles. Over the past two years, ActNow BC’s Road to Health Community Tour has delivered a healthy living message to approximately 255,000 British Columbians.
  7. Through ActNow BC, British Columbians are working to become the healthiest region to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  8. B.C. has established ActNow BC Seniors Community Parks as part of its large Seniors in B.C. action plan to support older adults so they can live healthy, active, independent lives.
  9. B.C. has developed a Women’s Healthy Living Secretariat to support and advance the health and well-being of women.
  10. B.C.’s air quality objectives were launched in April 2009 that are among the most stringent in Canada. They promote cleaner air quality throughout the province and will help guide and support local governments as they reduce emissions and build cleaner, healthier communities.
  11. B.C. is closing the health gaps between First Nations and other British Columbians through the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan, which was signed in June 2007.
  12. The Province provides support for British Columbians to be physically active and to B.C.’s performance pathway for athletes and coaches. In addition, B.C. has spent over $600 million for major sport and recreation infrastructure developments.