As the economy goes up and down like a yo-yo and politicians continue to haggle in Parliament over what's good for the economy and budget in this country, our area member of Parliament (MP) is looking at trimming the fat in other ways - his own, in fact.
Conservative MP John Weston, who represents the riding of West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, stood up in the House of Commons on Monday and challenged his fellow MPs and senators to make a significant change in their lifestyles.
Weston is part of an initiative called 20:10 leaders. The goal is to make each MP and senator a role model, demonstrating a commitment to a healthier lifestyle that will allow them, individually and collectively, to motivate Canadians to live healthier lifestyles. Weston's statement is part of an initiative that involves nationally renowned coaches with expertise in swimming, running and walking.
Pierre Lafontaine is Canada's Olympic swim team coach, and Phil Marsh is a nationally renowned running coach and regional manager for the Running Room. Together, they and Weston, along with other MPs and coaches, are encouraging their colleagues to spend 20 minutes and 10 seconds, twice weekly or more, in a pool or on a trail. The initiative is designed to make each MP and senator healthier, happier and better representatives in the context of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games. Regardless of athletic experience or ability, each MP and senator is invited to one or more of 12 sessions to learn more about running, walking, swimming and cycling.
Weston, along with MPs Kirsty Duncan (Liberal, Eto-bicoke North), Peter Stoffer (NDP, Sackville-Eastern Shore) and Pascal-Pierre Paillé (Bloc Québécois, Louis-Hébert) have signed a letter inviting their colleagues to take part in the initiative.
Weston and his colleagues hope other MPs and senators will leverage their profiles to encourage Canadians to live fitter lives. The 20:10 name borrows from the Olympic and Paralympic movement to emphasize this point; exercising twice weekly for 20 minutes and 10 seconds can make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians.
