PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STRATEGY (EST. 2011) Presentation St Ann’s Seniors Luncheon November 16, 2016 1 Yr Renewal 2016-2017 (2016-2021)

Vision In 2021 Victoria County residents and visitors are fully engaged in a culture and lifestyle that embraces life-long physical activity and healthy eating and enjoys the social, health and environmental benefits of their active lifestyles. Residents and visitors enjoy healthy lifestyles rooted in access to the unique natural resources, lands and waterways that they call home. They benefit from a wide range of accessible programs, facilities and services provided by stakeholders working in partnership to make the best use of available resources Healthy and active living is reflected in all aspects of community life, including the way we build our community, utilize and celebrate our natural environment, provide programs and services, and allocate resources. Our investment in the infrastructure and services that support physical activity and healthy eating contributes to a strong community identity, cohesive communities Infrastructure and services strengthens the economy built on healthy individuals and families with strong ties to the community and visitors who share our enthusiasm for more active healthy lifestyles.

Principles Community Design: Future community design aims to increase public green space Education & Awareness: The benefits of building an active County are communicated to stakeholders supported with education sessions in communities throughout the County Evaluation: Strategy will be a living document, regularly monitored, evaluated & updated Evidence-based: Initiatives will aim to be evidence-based building on data and interventions that have proven successful elsewhere Existing Assets: The Strategy will rely on the existing infrastructure, programs and services to build on strengths in the County. New initiatives will be community-based and not duplicated within that community Infrastructure: Existing & new Infrastructure will be supported that provides opportunities for physical activity, healthy eating and active transportation. It will support educational activities in the county Participation: Residents will be involved in the design, development and delivery of physical activity and healthy eating initiatives. The Strategy is for all residents, and includes a focus for groups with priority needs Partnership & Collaboration: Relationships will be developed with multiple and diverse stakeholders from government, health, schools, law enforcement, municipal staff, development/planning, economic development and business, residents, environment, outdoor recreation and accessibility interest groups Policies: Policy approaches will promote active living at workplaces, schools, recreation facilities and in community decision-making.

Values We Value: Physical activity & healthy eating as key factors that promotes health of our community An active community that encourages and facilitates social interaction, county-wide planning and action, and local economic development Taking ownership of our own health Increasing access to physical activity & healthy eating by addressing physical, social and economic barriers Participation by all Safe routes and infrastructure that support community participation in physical activity & healthy eating Protecting the health of our natural environment and recognizing links between, sustainable environment and a healthy community Supporting clear, timely and respectful communication The quality of life for all residents as a key element of social and economic health.

5 Goals Awareness & Information Partnership & Networks Programs & Activities Infrastructure Policies

Goal 1: Awareness & Information Enhance county’s understanding of the life-long benefits of physical activity and eating healthy to support a healthy and active life 1.1: Promote & maintain Cape Breton Connect “Active for Life” website so that residents can access information on physical activity, sport and recreation programs, resources, facilities and services in our communities 1.1.a: Share Victoria County inventory of assets and opportunities (Infrastructure, human resources, programs, activities, events) through social media both electronically and print 1.2: Share physical activity and healthy eating best practices with community organizations and agencies through workshops, presentations, displays, media, etc   1.2.a: Support leadership development by assisting volunteers and non-profit organizations on topics such as: Grant writing, action plans, board development, organization support, etc   1.2.b Increase awareness and provide information about available funding

Goal 1: Awareness & Information 1.3: Support capacity of Victoria County Action Network through training, resources, online access to meetings, research and physical activity inventory   1.4: Showcase initiatives that are successful to increase individual knowledge, attitudes and skills by sharing testimonials, successes and yearly accomplishments.

Goal 2: Partnerships & Networks Build cooperative networks & partnerships among agencies, organizations and individuals to develop and deliver practical physical activity & healthy eating opportunities 2.1: Ensure linkages with federal, provincial, municipal, First Nation and other agencies that have a policy focus via Naturally Active for Life Partnership 2.2: Strengthen collaboration and communication across Victoria County among organizations with an interest in physical activity & healthy eating (Victoria County Action Network, community leaders, volunteer organizations, residents, service providers and facility operators) 2.2.a Support specific mechanisms to share information about activities, programs, resources and partnerships among volunteer organizations.

Goal 3: Programs and Activities Promote community sustainability through support and assistance to community-based organizations that provide physical activity and healthy eating programs and services 3.1: Support and strengthen leadership development for physical activity & healthy eating across the lifespan 3.2: Work with communities, leaders and key stakeholders to develop, implement and evaluate priority, gender and culturally appropriate, affordable programs and services (i.e. early years, school-aged children and youth, seniors and intergenerational) 3.3: Expand the supply of introductory, “Learn to” and “Try-It” physical activity and healthy eating programs 3.4: Develop programs/events that reconnect groups, individuals and families to outdoor and natural environments 3.5: Support access to safe, comfortable settings that support physical activity & healthy eating in indoor and outdoor facilities, etc.

Physical Activity Strategy Goal 4: Infrastructure Advocate for and support natural and built environments that encourages residents and visitors to enjoy an active healthy life 4.1: Work with Nova Scotia Transportation Infrastructure and Renewal, Parks Canada and other Active Transportation Stakeholders to incorporate pedestrian and bicycle friendly designs in road construction or upgrades in the County 4.2: Work with government agencies such as Parks Canada, Nova Scotia Department of Environment, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Nova Scotia Transportation Infrastructure and Renewal and other stakeholders to develop, maintain and promote year round access to trails 4.3: Promote access to natural waterways (Lakes, rivers, etc.) and other related facilities 4.4: Advocate and support for infrastructure development for growing and preparing healthy food 4.5: Compile and maintain an Inventory of existing physical activity infrastructure.

Physical Activity Strategy Goal 5: Policies Engage and work with federal, provincial, municipal, first nation and community agencies to develop and monitor policies that promote physical activity and healthy eating indoors and outdoors 5.1: Work with Nova Scotia Departments such as Nova Scotia Health & Wellness Active Living Branch, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Nova Scotia Transportation, Infrastructure & Renewal, Nova Scotia Department of Energy, Nova Scotia Environment and other stakeholders, including Parks Canada to develop and implement Active Transportation policies 5.2: Work with Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board and Mi’Kmaw Kina’matneway schools to adopt community-use policy that allows increased use and opportunity for the public during, after school, evenings, weekends, in-service, breaks and summer 5.3: Promote re-orientation of existing health services to support *“upstream” interventions focusing on physical activity and healthy eating 5.4: Support workplace wellness network and implementation of Municipal Workplace Wellness Policy 5.5: Work with local physical activity, recreation and sports facilities to implement provincial healthy eating guidelines.

Have We Made A Difference? Physical Activity Levels the Last 3 Years: Increased: Great Deal Somewhat Stayed the Same Somewhat Great Deal Decreased PA Citizens Survey Victoria County 2015 Citizens Survey Victoria County Nov. 2015 Nov. 2015 70% 29% IPSOS Reid Survey April 2010

Why BaM Cape Why Renewal For Another 5 Years in 2017 Cause - There is still work to be done! Why BaM Cape

Challenge: About 1/3 of residents say they have health issues that affect their participation level, and 8 in 10 of them say these issues are ongoing, long-term ones.

KEY FINDINGS Citizens Survey Nov. 2015 Top Activities on Wish List Walking: Top of the wish list for future activity, especially among those age 60+ Swimming: A distant second, but still strong interest Yoga or Pilates: A top preference for females next to walking Most Common Challenges Infrastructure: Bicycle lanes and roadsides for walking Social barriers: Having someone to be active with, and family-friendly options Finding time: Working activity into daily life Physical Activity Opportunities Non-competitive (recreational) activities (especially among females) Drop-in sport and recreation activities (especially among males) Family-friendly: More programs for children with or nearby to parent activities, appropriate spaces AT Motivators One-third walk at least weekly. Bicycling is minimal. Nearly 3/4 would like to walk more often, affected by road conditions, sidewalk maintenance, and trails. 2/5 would bicycle more often with better road conditions, bicycle lanes, and off-road paths.

Naturally Active Victoria County P A R T N E R S H I P http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/about-us/management/ Environment Naturally Active Victoria County Action Network (VCAN) Implementation Team Community and Professional Representatives http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/about-us/vcan-implementation-team/ ‎

Strategy Testimonials (2011 - 2016) http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/testimonials-2/   Letters of Support to Renewal Strategy 2016 - 2021 http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/about-us/strategy-review-update-session-june-3-2015/ Strategy – “What We’ve Achieved” http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/what-weve-achieved/ Success Stories of Strategy http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/success-stories/ Strategy: 2011-14 http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/2011-14/ Strategy: 2012-13 http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/2012-13/ Strategy: 2013-14 http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/2013-14/ Strategy: 2014-15 http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/2014-15/ 

• Strategy: 2015-16 http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/2015-16/   • Strategy: Celebration 2014 http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/celebration/ • Gold Medalist Presents to Victoria County Council (Oct. 20, 2014) http://naturallyactivevictoriacounty.com/testimonials/gold-medalist-addresses-municipal-council/