Issue 1 - Accessibility

Physical access

Easy access to facilities, spaces, services and equipment is often all it takes for people to get moving. Effective urban planning also fosters active transportation and greater availability of spaces and paths for a variety of outdoor activities.

Time constraints

Free time is often the result of a healthy balance between work and personal responsibilities. To be able to participate in physical, sport or recreational activities, people must have access to facilities, equipment, spaces and services at times that fit into their schedule. This flexibility is all the more important for family activities in the evening, on weekends and during school holidays and summer vacation.

Socioeconomic background

Québec is made up of people from different social, cultural and economic backgrounds. Values, traditions and customs often influence individual and group choices. Consideration of different people’s particular characteristics, backgrounds and needs is important for reaching different population segments and fostering access to activities for as many people as possible.

Participation in physical, sport and recreational activities is also often dependent on family or personal income. A precarious financial situation can affect the choices made by individuals, groups and communities, excluding them from services.

Improve spaces and services that foster regular participation in physical, sport and recreational activities

Since accessibility is a key aspect of participation in physical, sport and recreational activities, it is important to create environments conducive to adopting and maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

For this reason, maintenance, renovation and upgrading are as important as construction in ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for all Quebecers.

Facilitate the participation of individuals, groups and communities with special needs

To do justice to this orientation, the Policy takes into account the needs and expectations of all Quebecers, regardless of age, sex, income, abilities, culture or community.

The Policy takes into account the situations of:

• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• Immigrants and cultural communities
• People living in poverty
• Aboriginals
• Rural and isolated communities

Facilitate athletes' pathways to high performance

Québec must continue to excel in Canadian and international sports. If it is to achieve excellence, support for high-performance athletes must satisfy the international requirements for the sport, and the best-known practices must be applied.

The collaboration of all partners is therefore indispensable in the accomplishment of the greatest sport achievements. This responsibility is shared by the Québec government and sport organizations.