Madam Chair, the member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith knows exactly what I love to talk about in this House, and that is the power of physical activity, primarily for kids.
I am a kinesiologist. I was an athlete, and one of the things that is missing from my life, as much as it used to be, is physical activity every single day. When I talk to kids, like Josephine, Meghan and Jamie today, they talk to me about how a bit of activity, exercise or sports, and it does not have to be competitive, in fact, it should not be at first, just improves their lives.
It improves their mental health, their physical health and their sense of community at school, and it is absolutely essential. If there are any school board trustees, people running for those positions or ministers of education out there, daily physical activity in schools ought to be essential. Physical literacy is just as important as numeracy and reading and writing. It is a life skill that is so ingrained in our physiology and our biology that it should be a necessity.
People often ask athletes if it is all mental or all physical. It cannot be one without the other. Our brains are connected to our bodies, and there is a symbiotic relationship. We have to take care of the whole organism.