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The Coalition pour l’avenir du sport et de l’activité physique (CASAPQ), of which FADOQ is a member, is part is calling on political parties to commit to making Quebec the most active nation in the world. CASAPQ is calling for two concrete actions: to recognize sports, physical activity, and the outdoors as a national priority and as frontline tools for preventive health care, and to support an independent modernization task force leading to a new Quebec model.

Quebecers Want More Investment in Disease Prevention

According to a recent Léger poll, 61% of Quebecers believe the government does not invest enough in disease prevention. Yet, in April 2026, the government stated that for every dollar invested in preventive health care, the return on preventive interventions amounts to $14.30, according to an international systematic review.

A 50-Year-Old Model Facing the Challenges of 2026

Quebec’s model for sports, physical activity, and the outdoors was designed a little over fifty years ago. It has served us well. But since then, society and lifestyles have changed profoundly: sedentary lifestyles, the ubiquity of screens, mental health issues, an aging population, a decline in participation, and burnout among volunteers, coaches, instructors, and organizations.

Quebec has considerable expertise and a network of committed organizations. But the system has become more complex and remains fragmented, with responsibilities and resources scattered across multiple networks.

The proposed task force would not disrupt activities or services. Instead, it would allow the relevant stakeholders to collectively review priorities, responsibilities, approaches, support, and funding in order to build a model suited to the coming decades.

“With millions of participants, the sports, physical activity, and outdoor recreation sector is closely connected to the realities on the ground. The community wants to play an even more significant role in getting Quebec moving and is seeking more than just budget increases based on an outdated model. Let’s enable Quebecers to rediscover the joy of being active, in line with our resources and our collective ambition to stay healthy and delay the onset of disease.” – Sébastien Théberge, President of SPORTSQUÉBEC

Prevention Rather Than Just Cure

CASAPQ’s request comes at a time when Quebecers want to see more effort devoted to prevention.

Quebec data confirm the urgent need for action: according to the INSPQ, nearly one in two adults falls below the recommended threshold for moderate or vigorous physical activity per week. Among youth aged 12 to 17, only 18% meet the recommended level of physical activity.

“The status quo is no longer an option. To become the most active nation in the world, Quebec must choose: continue to make piecemeal repairs to its system, or build a coherent model that will give the entire population the desire and the opportunity to be active for life. Physical activity is not an afterthought—it must become a priority, starting in childhood and continuing throughout life. We must create a culture of physical activity; this is a true public health decision.” – Pierre Lavoie, co-founder of the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie

For the Coalition, this approach must encompass the entire life span: children and teenagers, families, adults, and seniors, in all communities and regions of Quebec, and at all levels of participation—from introductory activities to excellence, including physical education in schools.

Two concrete actions expected from the political parties

• A national priority. Clearly establish sport, physical activity, and the outdoors as priorities for the next government to make them frontline tools for health prevention.
• Support for our independent task force. Support an independent 18- to 24-month initiative, led by the community, to establish a shared assessment and propose a new Quebec model.

The movement is expanding to other sectors

The urgency to act extends beyond the sports community and resonates with voices from various sectors of Quebec civil society.

“When we create living environments where it’s easy and enjoyable to be active, citizens step up. Municipalities are on the front lines, but they can’t act alone. In Quebec City, we’ve chosen to make active living a priority. Now imagine what we could accomplish if this ambition became that of all of Quebec.” – Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Quebec City

“Healthy aging begins long before age 65. In a rapidly aging Quebec, keeping people active longer means preserving their independence, their health, and their social participation. Physical activity must be approached as a lifelong endeavor.” – Jacinthe Roy, Executive Director of the FADOQ

“Physical activity and sports cannot remain on the periphery of our health policies. Preventive health care is beneficial and cost-effective for everyone, and it begins long before a visit to the doctor’s office or the emergency room. We must create the conditions that will make physical activity a real part of people’s lives.” – Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, physician and co-chair of the LDT Foundation

“Inactivity has serious consequences for the health of individuals and society as a whole. At the Foundation, we recognize that to make a difference, it is essential to take action much earlier. A sustainable active lifestyle stems from the joy we experience as children in being active and discovering a variety of sports and active leisure activities. Together, let’s choose to invest in prevention, in creating accessible environments and stimulating, inclusive programs, to ensure that our youth have the desire, the means, and the opportunities to be active.” – Geneviève Paquette, President and Executive Director of the Canadiens Foundation for Children

About the Coalition pour l’avenir du sport et de l’activité physique au Québec (www.casapq.org)

The Coalition pour l’avenir du sport et de l’activité physique au Québec (CASAPQ) is the largest organization in Quebec representing millions of people who participate in sports, physical activity, and outdoor recreation through thousands of local, regional, and provincial associations and groups, sports federations, municipalities, and regional service units. CASAPQ aims to ensure the sustainability and improvement of organizations operating at all levels that are on the front lines of delivering services and programs that foster the development and promotion of sports, physical activity, and outdoor recreation—and, consequently, the health of the Quebec population.

CASAPQ relies on the commitment of nine key organizations: SPORTSQUÉBEC, the Association québécoise du loisir public, the Institut national du sport du Québec, the Regroupement du loisir et du sport du Québec, the Réseau des unités régionales de loisir et sport du Québec, the FADOQ, the Fédération d’éducation physique du Québec, the Réseau plein air Québec, and the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie. In addition to these organizations, CASAPQ also receives formal support from organizations and individuals concerned about the future of sports, physical activity, and the outdoors.