VICTORIA - A newly created ActNow BC Leadership Council will lead British Columbia in the promotion of healthy living as British Columbians mark ActNow BC Day, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

"The members of the ActNow BC Leadership Council bring a wealth of professional skill and experience from all walks of life that include health, sports, business and volunteerism and understand the importance of good health for individuals, families and communities across British Columbia," said Campbell. "They will provide the leadership that will help British Columbia reach its goal to lead North America in healthy living and physical fitness."

The ActNow BC Leadership Council will assist the Province meet the targets for ActNow BC by promoting the importance of physical activity, proper nutrition, eliminating tobacco use and making healthy choices during pregnancy in achieving overall good health. The council's objective is to help British Columbians understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.

ActNow BC was launched in March 2005 in response to research that showed that common chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and some types of cancer can be dramatically reduced through proper nutrition, exercise and elimination of tobacco use.

"I'm very pleased to have the new ActNow BC Leadership Council join our ActNow BC colleagues to further our goals," said Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC. "We have made great strides in working towards our goal of a healthier B.C. with our partners in the BC Healthy Living Alliance, UBCM, 2010 LegaciesNow, the regional health authorities, all government ministries, and all communities across B.C. This new council will help us show the world that British Columbians are true leaders in physical fitness and healthy living."

ActNow BC programs include the successful ActionSchools! BC program, implemented in over 1,200 schools and serving over 300,000 students throughout the province; the School Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program in over 51 schools; and the Active Communities initiative, operated through the BC Parks and Recreation Association and introduced in 133 communities across the province.

"I was there in April of 2005 when we first launched the ActNow BC initiative," said Dr. Art Hister. "I'm honoured to be a part of the ActNow BC Leadership Council with the goal of motivating British Columbians to understand the importance, and also the fun, that healthy living can be."

The ActNow BC Leadership Council announcement comes on the heels of the ActNow BC ad campaign, Every Move is a Good Move, which was aimed at encouraging physical activity in kids aged six to 10 years old. The next focus for ActNow BC will be aimed at the aging population and improving the lives of older adults through active aging and proper nutrition.

For more information on ActNow BC, visit www.actnowbc.gov.bc.ca