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Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon ready to invest 400 millions over a period of 10 years to implement the project "Developing Healthy Kids in Quebec"

Trois-Rivières, September 29, 2005 – Québec en Forme welcomes the publication of the report Promoting healthy lifestyles in Children and Youth by the Équipe de travail pour mobiliser les efforts en prévention, presided over by Mr. Jean Perrault. This work team, presided over by the mayor of the city of Sherbrooke, Mr. Jean Perrault, was created by the prime minister of Québec following the Forum des générations held in October 2004.

The report, made public today, informs us that the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon proposes to pay a total amount of $400 million over the next ten years to fund 50% of the expenses involved in implementing and evaluating the "Developing Healthy Kids in Quebec" project, in partnership with the government, with the idea that the government will provide the remaining 50% in funding.

"Here is excellent news for those working on a daily basis to improve young people's health, their preparation for school and their academic success, notably through projects and activities that foster a healthy and active lifestyle for children and their families," declared the executive director of Québec en Forme, Eric Myles. Mr. Myles went on to say that "this report is highly important, because it targets tools that will make a difference where it counts - in the daily life of children - thanks to the commitment of those closest to them."

In fact, many recommendations of the Perrault report are in keeping with the mission of Québec en Forme and its 600 local and regional partners in 28 local communities in Québec, situated in eight administrative regions. Here are a few examples.


Make it a government priority: "The government to be committed in reaching the objective of improving the health young people in Quebec by making prevention as well as the promotion of physical activity and healthy diet a true government priority."

Support those working on a daily basis with young people: "Encourage and support the mobilization of regional and local associations and organizations, which work on a daily basis with young people and families to help the players in the field to develop and implement action plans."

Make a long-term commitment with a view to continuity: "Make a long-term commitment in this strategy to ensure sustainability as well as funding for the current and future measures."

Assure adequate financing: "Fund the maintenance and development of extra-curricular activities in schools by insisting on the necessity of having a cooperative approach between the school and other players in the sector: municipalities, community organizations, recreation and sports organizations, etc."

Making prevention a priority, acting on a daily basis in children's life environment, making a long-term commitment with a view to sustainability and supporting collaboration between the school and the other actors in the community are the bases of the Québec en Forme project. We are particularly pleased that the Perrault report makes these essential recommendations as well.

More than an orientation: a very important, concrete project that deserves our support


Eric Myles believes that the publication of the Perrault report is a clear sign that the desire to improve preventive efforts with children and young people is shared by a growing number of actors and decision-makers in Québec society. "I am personally convinced that the Government of Québec will give this its undivided attention."

We wish to emphasize that Québec en Forme is involved in discussions to renew its partnership agreement with the Government of Québec for a second four-year period (2006-2010), the Fondation Chagnon having already made the decision to renew its financial aid (50% of the organization's financing).

"As regards this subject, explains Eric Myles, the proposal of the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon to pay an overall sum of 400 million dollars over the next 10 years in partnership with the government, conditional upon the latter's financing the other 50%, falls within the ongoing partnership between the Fondation and the Government of Québec, since each partner assumes 50% of the financial aid to Québec en Forme. This joint venture is supported, moreover, by the willingness of the board of directors of Québec en Forme to renew its agreement with the Government of Québec on this basis for the 2006-2010 period."

Given the importance of the proposals contained in the Perrault report, Québec en Forme invites all its partners to become familiar with them and to demonstrate their support for the recommendations proposed.

Information about Québec en Forme is available on its Web site at:






Source: Normand Bissonnette
Director of Communications
Québec en Forme
(819) 370-6688
nbissonnette@quebecenforme.org