OTTAWA – The Conservatives are pledging $1.7-million to education and awareness programs aimed at preventing injuries in children’s sports.

It is a part of a two-year $5-million commitment to injury prevention.

More than 40 per cent of child and youth injuries treated in emergency rooms in Canada are related to sports and recreational activities, according to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.
 
“Most of these are both predictable and preventable,” she said.

The projects that will receive funding will help coaches and players make smarter and safer decisions to prevent injuries.

“These projects help create safe environments so children have greater opportunities to participate in activities that are safe, fun, fair and healthy,” Aglukkaq said.

But NDP sports critic Matthew Dube said it is time for clear national regulations for serious injuries like concussions.

“It’s an epidemic basically of concussions and serious injuries in amateur sports. At some point you have to take a leadership role.”

“Everyone has a different way of approaching it and I think that that’s part of the problem,” he said.

“Obviously, we welcome any steps forward. I think this is a step forward so we’re not going to criticize that in of itself.”

“There should be recognition that there is still much more to do.”

Dube said there is a need for national regulations for coaches and parents on how to deal with serious injuries.

The NDP has a bill before the House of Commons but it has been delayed and is just sitting on the order papers.