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Your B.C. Government

Children’s Healthy Living

Through innovative new programs and policies, your B.C. Government is working to enhance child health because a healthy start to life is critical to lifelong health and the wellbeing of our population.

What your B.C. Government is doing for Children’s Healthy Living:

  • Your B.C. Government has invested $7.7 million to create the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program to improve the health of children and families. The fruit and vegetable program is running in 739 K-12 public schools, covering every school district in the province.
  • Your B.C. Government is the first in the province’s history to invest $8.5 million specifically for safe, accessible play spaces for schools and communities.
  • With our partners, the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils and the Rick Hansen Foundation, 309 elementary and middle schools and 10 community organizations have received funding for new or refurbished playgrounds since 2007.
  • The Action Schools! BC Program – designed to assist schools in creating individualized action plans to promote healthy living – now includes more than 1,600 schools with students from kindergarten to Grade 9.
  • All B.C. schools are now required to implement the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in B.C. Schools.
  • The sale of junk food has been banned in B.C. schools effective September, 2008.
  • The Province has banned smoking in vehicles carrying children under the age of 16, in indoor public spaces and workplaces, and on school and hospital grounds. The Province has also restricted the way tobacco is displayed and sold.
  • The Province has restricted the use of industrially-produced trans fat in the preparation of foods in schools, restaurants and food-service establishments.
  • Your B.C. Government created ActNow BC to promote healthy living and increase activity in all age groups. This leading preventative program has been recognized by the World Health Organization.
  • School districts are required to have codes of conduct in place reflecting Government’s commitment to institute “zero tolerance” of bullying in B.C. schools.
  • B.C. is one of only two provinces in the country to publicly report teacher discipline, with two components – a discipline registry and an employment registry.
  • The Province has created a task force composed of representatives from remote communities and farmers to develop strategies to get fresh produce grown in B.C. to remote communities.

For more information:
Action Schools! BC
ActNow BC
School Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program
Daily Physical Activity
Healthy Schools