Ontario’s government is encouraging its public to make physical activity and fitness a key part of their lifestyle in 2005.

The McGuinty government is promoting exercise to all Ontarians, especially young people, as part of its Active2010 campaign and in observance of 2005 as the International Year of Sport (designated by the United Nations at the end of last year).

“I call on all levels of government, the health sector, food industries, works places, schools, families and individuals to create communities that promote healthy eating and regular physical activity,” said Ontario’s chief medical officer for health, Dr Basrur.

The aim of Active2010 is to increase activity levels among Ontarians to 55 per cent by 2010 and the government is investing CAN$5m (US$4m, £2.2m, 3.1m euros) a year in the programme. The investment is expected to remove barriers to exercise, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities and those on lower incomes.

Launched at the end of 2004, the campaign is linked to the Canadian Sport Policy and the national Healthy Living Strategy.

The government has launched two further campaigns to support Active2010. Pause to Play has been designed to encourage children and young people to make sport and physical activity a part of daily life, while the Communities in Action Fund helps local and not-for-profit organisations provide opportunities for community activity and sport. Priority is given to projects that benefit under-served groups such as older adults, children, women and ethnic minorities.

It is under the Communities in Action Fund that the government has just awarded YMCA Ontario a grant of CAN$322,000 (US$260,300, £140,200, 200,000 euros). The grant will be used to create physical activity plans and help get people exercising in 16 communities across the province. It is the first such grant to be awarded by the government under the fund this year.