The CIA is engaged in other activities to advocate for healthy, active communities. Creating these supportive environments requires change at the policy level, and so the CIA has been participating in reviews of county and municipal official plans.
The HKPR District Health Unit has created a number of tools that have assisted with this process

The CIA has also recently completed a project called “Engaging Decision Makers in Creating Healthy Active Rural Communities”. The Active Communities Charter was used as a guiding document and all municipal councils received a presentation about the why, what and how of creating healthy, active communities.

In 2008, the CIA also convened a Healthy, Active Communities Roundtable (HAC). Local groups that contribute to creating healthy, active communities were invited to network and share their objectives and accomplishments. The HAC also created a key message that can be communicated to the public and councils that shows how all the work is towards a common end goal.

Key Message

A healthy, active community has…

• safe routes, places and spaces for walking and cycling
• places for people to gather, such as parks and other outdoor community spaces
• good lighting, signage and other things that make a community safe and comfortable to get around in (e.g. benches, water fountains, public washrooms, garbage cans, etc)
• sport and recreation facilities and opportunities

Investing in a healthy, active community encourages…

• more visitors
• healthier people
• economic vitality
• cleaner and safer environment