As the only organization in Canada uniquely focused on surveillance and monitoring of physical activity, sport and recreation, the CFLRI provides credible data and works with policy- and decision-makers, practitioners and researchers to translate and exchange knowledge that informs and affects evidence-based policy and practice across Canada. Click here for CFLRI’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan.

How can this be achieved? It requires:

  • a balanced use of strategies to support physical activity—policy, supportive environments, safe and quality programs, awareness and education, skill development, capacity building, research and evaluation;
     
  • major settings supporting people's decision to be active—home, work, school, sport and recreation system, health care system, other locations;
  • all segments of society being more active— children and youth, women and men, older adults, low-income earners, members of the LGBTQ community, rural and urban dwellers, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, new Canadians.

For this vision to be achieved, individual Canadians must take charge of their own health, and society must support individual effort—through supportive workplaces, schools, communities, sport and recreation system, and governments. 

Physical Activity Surveillance Figure BMC Pop. Health Metrics

Adapted from Craig CL, Cameron CA, Bauman A. Utility of Surveillance Research to Inform Physical Activity Policy: An Exemplar From Canada. J Phys Act Health. 2017 Mar;14(3):229-239. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2015-0698. Epub 2016 Dec 5.

Our values are:

Reliability. CFLRI consistently demonstrates integrity and the highest of ethical standards in its data collection methods. Research data and reports are timely, accurate and credible.

Collaboration. CFLRI works cooperatively with stakeholders to respond to their research needs.

Accountability. CFLRI responds nimbly to the needs of funders, as well as its stakeholders in the sport, recreation and physical activity community.

Efficiency. CFLRI provides excellent value by leveraging resources to create a coordinated comprehensive data strategy.

Relevancy. CFLRI provides services that play a significant role in informing the creation and evaluation of national and provincial/territorial sport, physical activity and recreation policies.

Inclusion. CFLRI is committed to collecting and sharing information that informs sport, physical activity and recreation policies affecting all Canadians.

Our commitment

We endeavour to...

  • provide the credible and rigorous research evidence for developing policies, setting and tracking national targets for population rates of physical activity and sport and for allocating the investment of public resources;
  • take an integrated and comprehensive approach to understanding participation and the influences of policy, social and physical environments, and individual level factors;
  • assess changes in aspects of the physical and social environments of sport and recreational organizations, communities, schools and workplaces that influence participation in physical activity and sport and decrease sedentary behaviours;
  • furnish key information for evaluating national campaigns, naturally occurring programs, and innovative policies and strategies; 
  • increase individual awareness of the benefits of an active lifestyle by synthesizing and sharing easily accessible and understandable research;
  • work collaboratively with partners and the sector to identify research priorities and recommend strategies to increase physical activity levels and decrease sedentary behaviours.
  • work collaboratively with partners and the sector to ensure that the research represents all Canadians, regardless of culture, race, age, geographic location, abilities, and gender.

Not a small task! But we have 40 years of experience in addressing this challenge to help achieve a healthier, more active Canada. Contact us to discuss how we can assist you with your research needs.