Exercise is Medicine.

Mental health, obesity, and lifestyle-driven disease are the fastest growing health concerns in Ontario and worldwide. Ongoing lockdowns and heavy restrictions in fitness and recreational spaces due to COVID-19 have made it difficult for many Ontarians to maintain social connections and healthy habits to combat these ailments.

In the 2020 'Mental State of the World Report,' MHQ scores have shown a drastic drop since before the COVID-19 pandemic, with young people suffering the most significant mental health burdens. Obesity continues to rise at record rates, from toddlers to the elderly, and we know that poor states of health are among the most significant risk factors for the severity of COVID-19 outcomes.

People can stand in line at Costco but can't exercise outside while being led by a professional. Kids can sit in crowded classrooms but cannot play organized outdoor sports.

Signing this petition means that you understand the impact these shutdowns have on mental and physical well-being, and you want to see fitness and recreational services safely become essential services in Ontario.