Parliament Hill was transformed into a cross-country ski venue to promote National Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday.
National Health and Fitness Day is scheduled for June 4. The cross country ski venue was also held to highlight the upcoming historic month of Nordic festivities in Canada.
This event was led by Senator Nancy Greene Raine, MPs Robert Kitchen (Souris-Moose Mountain), Anthony Housefather and Cheryl Hardcastle, Ottawa youth, Olympians/Paralympians and officials from Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada.
With the goal to encourage a more active and healthy Canada, the unique event was held in partnership with Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada, Nakkertok Nordic and XC Ski Fast.
The program was designed to promote the thrill of cross-country skiing to Grades 6-8 students in the National Capital Region.
The event also demonstrated the potential for setting tracks in school yards across Canada and making cross country skiing part of the school curriculum.
“Cross country skiing is a great way to keep in shape,” said Dr. Kitchen. “Many Canadians take personal responsibility for their health by getting 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity. I find cross-country skiing to be a great outdoor workout, and Moose Mountain Provincial Park has some excellent terrain.”
Kitchen was one of a handful of MPs who encouraged Canadians to embrace winter by getting active during the unique ski event.
Senator Nancy Greene Raine encouraged all Canadians to follow Canada’s political leaders’ path to a healthier lifestyle.
“These legislators are great role models for all Canadians to keep physically active. My dream is that we could have cross country tracks like this one on school playing fields across Canada. We need to do everything possible to get kids outside being active in the fresh air. We ask all MPs and Senators to help us spread the idea. Let’s do it!”
The event was held days before Ottawa took centre stage in international cross-country ski circles with the annual Gatineau Loppet tournament.
This will be followed by the first stage of the inaugural eight-race Ski Tour Canada, planned for March 1-12. This Tour includes World Cup races with 174 athletes in Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec City, and Canmore, Alta.
“This is the largest nordic ski event to ever come to North America. We hope having our nation’s top athletes race at home will inspire all Canadians — from our leaders on Parliament Hill to students in school playgrounds — to get outside, embrace winter, and ultimately try cross-country skiing,” said Pierre Lafontaine, chief executive officer, Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada.
“One of our core responsibilities as a national sport organization is to pull kids away from video games and television sets, and inspire them to take on an active lifestyle with friends and family while embracing winter. We hope events like today on the hill, our ski at school programs, and the Ski Tour Canada will help us achieve these goals and contribute to making Canada the fittest nation on Earth.”
For more information on National Health and Fitness Day, visit www.nhfd.ca. For more information on the Ski Tour Canada, please visit the web site at www.skitourcanada.com.
