Press Release
Post-election victory celebrations have come to an end but Ontarians still have something spectacular to celebrate.
Thanks to dedicated and passionate voters, 92 MPPs are “Healthy Candidates.”
This means a full 86 percent of Ontario’s legislature has made a commitment to the future health of our province.
The “Healthy Candidates” campaign, running throughout the Ontario election, engaged voters and candidates in record numbers–challenging candidates to commit to invest more in health promotion and prevention.
“With health-care costs skyrocketing, childhood obesity rates tripling over 30 years, and tobacco use remaining the leading cause of preventable death, the time for action is now,” stressed Tom McAllister, Chief Operating Officer, Ontario, Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“Nearly every MPP elected has pledged to take action on prevention and health promotion,” he noted.
“Together we can make Ontario the healthiest province in Canada while turning the tide on surging health costs.”
By election day (Oct. 6), a remarkable 368 candidates had pledged to “go healthy”–urged on by more than 6,680 voters who had taken an active part in logging online to challenge their candidates.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation is excited to build on this unprecedented success, working collaboratively with all Ontarians to hold MPPs to their commitment.
“The Heart and Stroke Foundation is heartened to know that these recently-elected MPPs share our goal of building a healthier Ontario,” said McAllister.
“We look forward to working together with the new legislature to shape the policies that will support a healthier future for all Ontarians,” he added.
