1. Healthy Families BC Website Launched

There is a new online resource called Healthy Families BC, which is the Province of British Columbia’s one-stop location for information related to healthy living. Check out the website and sign-up today to join the online community.

By signing up you can join the conversation and read posts by Registered Dietitians and Kinesiologists who are blogging daily about healthy eating, tasty recipes and physical activity tips and tricks to keep you motivated and active.

Your support and involvement with ActNow BC, over the past five years, is greatly appreciated. Healthy Families BC is where people like you can now come to find the resources needed to live healthier lives.

If you have any questions, please contact us at our new email address: HealthyFamiliesBC@gov.bc.ca

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2. British Columbia’s families are leading the country when it comes to healthy lifestyles

British Columbia’s families are leading the country when it comes to healthy lifestyles, according to Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey for 2011, released today.

Each year, Statistics Canada releases the report card on self-reported health indicators, health status and health system use. In keeping with recent years, B.C. ranks at or near the top on most indicators measured.

For more information, read the BC Ministry of Health's release.

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3. First pillar of Families First Agenda: Supporting Vulnerable Families Unveiled

The changes, most of which will come into effect later this year, will help vulnerable families attain better financial outcomes, assist individuals with disabilities lead more independent lives and help people capable of work avoid the cycle of income-assistance dependence.

For more information, read the BC Ministry of Social Development's release .

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4. Second pillar of B.C.’s Families First Agenda: Safe Communities, Strong Families Unveiled

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond today unveiled the second pillar of B.C.’s Families First Agenda: Safe Communities, Strong Families.

This pillar includes initiatives that put children’s best interests first, ease the resolution of family disputes and help make communities safer from gang violence.

For more information, read the BC Ministry of Justice's release.

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5. B.C. on the way to becoming Canada’s greenest province

In a close race with Ontario to become Canada’s greenest province, B.C. is leading the country in innovation with a per-capita investment of $138 in its green economy.

Published yesterday, the Corporate Knights third bi-annual Green Provincial Report Card evaluates environmental performance using a series of 35 indicators grouped into seven categories: air and climate, water, nature, transportation, waste, energy and buildings, and innovation.

For more information, read the BC Ministry of Environment's release.

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6. The Government of Canada Supports Safe Outdoor Play Spaces

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Federal Minister of Health, today announced support for a project to reduce injuries among children and youth by improving the safety of outdoor play spaces used by children and youth, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations.

“Unstructured play is an important form of learning for children and youth, and is critical for healthy development. However, not everyone has access to safe and adequate outdoor play spaces,” said Minister Gosal. “Today’s investment is about reducing injuries at playgrounds and other outdoor spaces, while encouraging our kids to lead an active, healthy lifestyle.”

For more information, read this article from the Canada News Centre.