Supporting Active Lifestyles: The Whole Day Matters Toolkit for Primary Care Providers
Only 56% of Ottawa adults (aged 18+) meet the physical activity recommendation of the evidence-based Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (2025 Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology). Across Canada, just 49% of adults (aged 18+) are reaching recommended physical activity levels, with only 6% meeting all 3 components (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep) of the guidelines.
Physicians can play a role in encouraging patients to adopt healthier movement behaviours that are essential in managing and preventing various chronic diseases. Whether you’re beginning to explore conversations around movement behaviours or looking to expand on them, The Whole Day Matters Toolkit for Primary Care Providers offers evidence-based resources designed to help support patients in adopting healthier daily movement behaviours for overall health.
The toolkit includes:
- An interactive, patient-facing handout that patients can print at home or read on their personal device.
- A tool that can be used to assess movement behaviours of adult patients.
- A user guide to help get you started, refresh your skills, or use as needed.
Under Patient Resources, you’ll find a list of low and no-cost physical activity resources to help connect patients with accessible ways to stay active throughout their day.
Physician & NP Resources
- Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guideline and The Whole Day Matters Toolkit for Primary Care Providers, 2025 Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
Patient Resources
- See pages 4-5 of The Whole Day Matters Toolkit for Primary Care Providers for an interactive handout supporting an active lifestyle for adults (aged 18+). Print it at home or read on your personal device.
Low and No-Cost Physical Activity Options
- Parks and green space – Parks and public areas around the city to walk, jog, cycle, or be active at no cost.
- Sports and Fitness – Leagues, clubs, memberships, and facilities that offer physical activity programs and activities, some free of charge, others with a fee.
- Older Adult Activities – Programs, courses, clubs, and seniors’ centres for older adults.
- Ottawa Public Library – Access Passes: museums, parks, and skiing – Offers free passes to help library members be more active.
- The Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library lends outdoor equipment to members for free.
- Local run clubs in and around Ottawa (Run Ottawa).
- From May to October, the National Capital Commission (NCC) hosts NCC Weekend Bikedays where they open some parkways for active use.
- Ottawa Public Health’s Strong and Steady is a free, 10-week fall prevention exercise program designed to help adults aged 65+ improve strength, balance, and mobility.
- Additional resources and activities to Be Active, Ottawa Public Health.
Joe Reid, BA Kin, MPH
Physical Activity Specialist
Ottawa Public Health