National Health and Fitness Day is an initiative to make Canada “the fittest nation in the world”, starting with the first Saturday in June as the day when Canadians are encouraged to get out and get active.
The initiative spring-boarded off the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as a project to mobilize the spirit of the games and create a legacy of improved health for all Canadians. Former Senator Greene Raine introduced a Private Members Bill (S-211), which formally established National Health and Fitness Day. It was passed unanimously through the Senate in June 2014. Since then MPs and Senators have worked with local mayors and councillors of cities and towns across the country to proclaim Canada’s National Health and Fitness Day on the first Saturday in June and to “mark” the day in some way.