FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2006
Liberals flog Pepsi to
elementary school kids on Ontario Parks web site
TORONTO – The McGuinty
government should stop trying to sell Pepsi to elementary
school children through the Ontario Parks web site at
www.campsite24.ca, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union
says.
“Campsite24.ca displays the
Pepsi logo in no fewer than 344 places on the English-language
site alone and offers direct links to www.pepsi.ca,” said
OPSEU President Leah Casselman. “If Mr. McGuinty really wants
to promote healthy food choices and an active lifestyle for
children, as he claims, he’s got a strange way of going about
it.”
The web site invites child
users to enter a virtual visitor centre, play nature-themed
video games, and watch movies that offer a glimpse of the park
experiences they could have if they weren’t sitting at a
computer. A resource area for teachers offers lesson plans for
Grades Two through Six.
“Clearly, campsite24.ca is
aimed at an elementary school audience,” said Casselman.
Consumption of soft drinks has
been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, tooth
decay, and other ailments, she noted.
In a 2004 report, Ontario’s
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Sheila Basrur wrote that “We
are now living in ‘obesogenic’ environments, communities,
workplaces, schools and homes that actually promote or
encourage obesity…. Many young people do not have the
opportunity to be physically active every day and are
surrounded by ads promoting soft drinks and snack foods.”
“I can think of few activities
less likely to promote a healthy, active lifestyle than
sitting at a computer thinking about going for a pop,” she
said. “Instead of cutting nature educators in provincial parks
and cutting deals with soft drink companies, the McGuinty
government should boost funding for nature education and park
maintenance and make it easier for children and families to
enjoy a real, not virtual, park experience.”
The McGuinty government cut the
equivalent of 226 summer jobs for seasonal and regular student
employees in the provincial parks this year. This represents a
19 per cent reduction from 2005 staffing levels.
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For more information:
Randy Robinson (416)
448-7441; (416) 788-9134 (cell)
