Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
My name is Jeff Hnatiuk. I'm the president and CEO of Sport Manitoba. Ours is a provincial-based organization, but we believe very strongly that some unique models that we have in Manitoba can have implications on sport delivery and programming across the country.
Sport Manitoba is creating innovative partnerships and developing new models of sport delivery so that all Manitobans, no matter what age or skill level, can benefit from their involvement in sport.
We appreciate and applaud the federal government's commitment to sport, and ask that in addition to maintaining its current sport funding levels, it will fund unique opportunities and partnerships that may fall outside of current sport funding models.
I'd like to start by addressing how sport delivery touches on various areas of the federal budget, including productivity, job creation, justice, healthy living, and health care.
According to a Conference Board of Canada report in 2005, health care spending due to physical inactivity ranges from $2.1 billion to $5.3 billion annually in Canada.
A World Health Organization report in 2005 indicates that over 80% of coronary heart disease, and 90% of type 2 diabetes, could be avoided or postponed by a combination of healthy living practices, such as and including regular physical activity.
There was an article in the Globe and Mail just two days ago indicating that a recent study in Britain suggested inactivity is quickly becoming public enemy number one in health care.
Investment in prevention and healthy living models could substantially decrease health care costs.
Sport tourism is an important economic engine in small and large centres across Canada. The sport industry has tremendous potential for growth, resulting in ancillary economic activity.
Sport engages thousands of volunteers. Volunteerism is a critical component in keeping Canada's aging population engaged and active.
Sport-based initiatives can prevent criminal activity among youth at risk, particularly with respect to gangs. However, studies have shown that programming must be very specifically designed and implemented to affect those youth. This is why many drop-in sport programs and centres oftentimes aren't as effective as they could be. Investment in innovative delivery models is very important.
Sport involvement can develop capacity and wellness opportunities and partnerships within the aboriginal community. Sport programming for immigrants assists greatly in integration into our communities.
Investment in infrastructure creates short-term injection into the economy, but the results and effects are long term with legacy projects that increase accessibility.
Critical to sports impact is the accessibility of sport, which means access to facilities, organized and professionally developed programs, and leadership development.
With regard to some innovative programs, work placement and on-the-job education, training, and apprenticeship opportunities result in permanent job placement.
With the adjustments to Canada's pension plan and the slow growth in capital markets and interest rates, it's imperative that we address the challenges of our aging population by ensuring that people are healthy, active, and able to work, as in many cases retirement ages have been increased. There is need to research best practices and motivators to keep Canada's aging population active and productive.
Aboriginal, immigrant, disabled, and low-income families face major challenges at this time. These communities need to be engaged, which can be achieved through sport and physical activity programming as well as leadership development for marginalized individuals and communities.
By creating unique programs and programming, new positions are created, keeping innovative and talented individuals here in this country.
In Manitoba we are creating a unique facility, the Sport for Life Centre, which will affect people across the province—as well as across the country, we believe. The centre incorporates sport research, sport medicine science, sport delivery, and expertise all in one particular location.
The combination of these aspects is unique in Canada. It will allow us to be innovative and flexible in addressing challenges and opportunities across the country. We are currently providing innovative programming opportunities for a broad spectrum of our community, from day cares to drug addiction and rehabilitation programs.
Involvement in our programs has kept our youth in schools, prevented suicides, developed sport opportunities available to urban and northern and remote communities, and developed leadership and program sustainability throughout coaching programs.
In closing, we'd like to recommend that there be committed funding for sport-based research and innovative programs and infrastructure. Currently, sport facilities are included in all other infrastructure programs within the Building Canada fund. This often makes it very difficult for new and innovative facilities to be seen as priorities when included with other pressures that are put on the infrastructure programs.
This investment would underscore our government's commitment to the Canadian sport policies vision to create dynamic and leading-edge environments that enable all Canadians to experience and enjoy involvement in sport to the extent of their abilities and interest.
Thank you very much for your time.