By Skana Gee
It was a big day yesterday, for Community Foundations of Canada and 22 local foundations, as we released Vital Signs 2011 – focusing national and local attention on key issues impacting our country and communities.
Media calls came fast and furious, as we fielded national print, broadcast and online interview requests about our top Vital Signs findings – including obesity, youth unemployment and personal bankruptcy. Meanwhile local foundations had ample opportunity to share their own challenges and success stories with media outlets on the ground.
Here’s a round-up of some of the media from various Vital Signs communities across Canada, in alphabetical order. You can find all of the local Vital Signs reports, local media releases, and the national Canada’s Vital Signs 2011 report on our Vital Signs website.
Our national snapshot attracted media attention from:
CBC online focusing on the the fact Canada is losing the war on obesity, despite countless initiatives and dollars spent in the past decade. Be sure to click on the video link to watch CFC President & CEO Ian Bird expand on the findings. We also garnered a range of stories on CBC Radio and CBC News Network.
Vancouver Sun columnist Don Cayo took on the youth unemployment issue, pointing out a need for “dramatic” improvement.Cayo also used his blog to highlight other Vital Signs findings and link to CFC’s findings online:
Montreal Gazette and other newspapers carried Postmedia reporter Amy Chung’s story offering an overview of the findings, including interviews with Bird, obesity expert Dr. Arya Sharma, and BMO’s Sal Guatieri:
Radio Canada International (English service) spoke with Ian for an overall look at our findings – it aired as the top story Tuesday!
Locally, here’s how the media spotlight shone:
Calgary
Calgarians happier, but concerned about transit: Vital Signs report – Calgary Herald
Calgary scores higher on ‘Vital Signs’ – CBC
Calgary gets a higher overall grade in Vital Signs survey – 660 News
Central Okanagan
Room to improve for Kelowna’s Vital Signs – Radio 101.5
Grande Prairie
Vital report card released – Daily Herald Tribune
Sparking conversation and action goal of Vital Signs – HQGrandePrairie.com
Hamilton
Bridging The Gap – The Spectator
Kingston
Study confirms working-poor woes – Kingston Whig-Standard
Medicine Hat
Study: Life in Medicine Hat a mixed bag – Medicine Hat News
Mississauga
Report probes city’s Vital Signs – Mississauga.com
North Okanagan
Community perceptions reveiled – Vernon Morning Star
Nova Scotia
Breaking the cycle of poverty: Community groups in Wolfville are working together to ensure no one gets left behind – The Chronicle-Herald
Saint John
Poverty down, but obesity high – Telegraph-Journal
VitalSigns 2011 Shows A Slight Poverty Dip – CHSJ 94.1 Radio
Sudbury
Vital Signs report: Alarming trends in Sudburians’ health – Northern Life
Toronto
Vital Signs 2011 report: Ten issues Torontonians should know – National Post
Toronto Vital Signs report finds growing gap between rich and poor – City News
Life in our divided city – Toronto Star
Victoria
Cost of living in Victoria is main issue in Vital Signs report: Natural environment among the “best” things – Vancouver Sun
Rising costs burden families: report – Oak Bay News
Skana Gee is Communications Coordinator for Community Foundations of Canada
