2005 News Releases

Saskatoon, SK– Saskatoon’s in motion initiative is spreading across Canada thanks to a generous donation from Manulife Financial to the University of Saskatchewan. The gift of $400,000 will be used for promoting the in motion initiative, providing national training opportunities and furthering research about physical activity based community initiatives.

The in motion program is a partnership between the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Health Authority, the City of Saskatoon and ParticipACTION. It provides a physical activity health promotion model that incorporates public awareness in combination with target population strategies all supported by research. The initiative has been adopted by various communities throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba as well as Abbotsford BC. In addition, the in motion “team” has provided consultative services to many other communities across Canada.

Bruce Gordon, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager, Canada for Manulife Financial says “Manulife Financial is committed to helping Canadians live longer and healthier lives so we’re very pleased to support this collaborative partnership. Our donation to the University of Saskatchewan will help them share this successful active living strategy with other communities across Canada.”

The gift will be used to develop and maintain a new Canada in motion website which will include a new health self-assessment tool. It will support the 2006 in motion National Training School which will bring together local, national and international experts to share strategies and research regarding physical activity and health promotion. The gift will also be used to support a post-doctoral position at the University of Saskatchewan. This person will translate research results into new materials for health professionals and community groups. In recognition for Manulife’s support, the three year post-doctoral position will be called the Manulife Financial Scholar in Physical Activity and Health Promotion.

“We’ve seen the impact community-wide ‘active-living’ can have on community development and empowerment in areas such as health-care delivery, program sustainability and the problem-solving capabilities of a community,” says Karen Chad, U of S Associate Vice President - Research, and lead researcher for the in motion project. “By supporting our efforts to take this model to all Canadians, Manulife is playing a role in improving the physical, mental and economic well-being of the nation.”

The donation was made through the University’s Thinking the World of our Future fundraising campaign. Campaign priorities include enhancing the student experience, increasing financial support for students and improving facilities to provide better opportunities for learning and research.

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For more information, please contact:

Manulife
Tom Nunn
Manulife Financial
519-594-8578

or

Susan Burton
Campaign Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1851