THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2017
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Events Calendar
Metroland file photo
York Region Pride Parade organizers were shocked and disappointed when they were told the route would have to change. See what’s happening by visiting our online community calendar. www.yorkregion.com/events
Raining on York’s Pride Parade KIM ZARZOUR kzarzour@yrmg.com York Region Pride Parade organizers remain in shock after being told the June 17 event
would be moved from its traditional Yonge Street route. The town welcomed the parade with "open arms" when it was first launched in 2013, said Jacob Gal, Pride Parade spokes-
person, but now Richmond Hill is suggesting the fifth annual event - the only one of its kind in the region - take place in a park adjacent to Elgin Barrow arena, just east of Yonge.
uReport the News
Meeta Gandhi, communications director for the town, said the change was made due to traffic issues, costs to the town
newsroom@yorkregion.com www.facebook.com/yrmgnews @yorkregion yorkregion.com/ureport
l See PRIDE page 2
WELLNESS
Health more than ’the broccoli on your plate’ LISA QUEEN lqueen@yrmg.com While York Region residents generally enjoy a high quality of life, a new report is shining a light on some troubling health concerns. "I see this as a wake-up call," Cathy Jaynes, director of healthy living with the region’s public health department, said. While residents can take personal responsibility for their health, the report, called Social Determinants of Health, said there are also bigger social and economic factors at play when it comes to people’s well being, Jaynes said. "This is about more than just the broccoli on your plate," she said. Overall, York residents enjoy a higher quality of life than the average Ontarian. For example, a York man can expect to live to the age of 83.8 while a York woman’s life expec-
Susie Kockerscheidt/Metroland
Social determinants, such as income levels, have a significant impact on health, Cathy Jaynes, director of healthy living with York Region Public Health, says.
tancy is 86.9 years, higher than the Ontario averages of 80.2 years and 82.1 years, respectively. However, residents who are most vulnerable to social determinants of health tend to experience worse health outcomes, Jaynes said. People with the lowest incomes experience the highest rates of smoking, the least amounts of physical activity and the lowest satisfaction with their health. Twenty-two per cent of York residents in the lowest third of income earners smoke. That compares with 18 per cent in the middle third and 15 per cent in the top income bracket. Only 40 per cent of low-income York residents over the age of 12 are physically active or moderately physically active. That jumps to 49 per cent of middle-income earners and 58 per cent of top earners. Only 50 per cent of low-income earners over the age of 12 rate
their health as good or excellent, compared to 62 per cent of middleincome earners and 73 per cent of top earners. Not surprisingly, low-income earners have a harder time affording healthy options such as safe housing and nutritious food and have a harder time participating in educational, cultural and recreational activities that affect their well being, Jaynes said. Last spring, the United Way of Toronto and York Region released a study showing more than 40 per cent of York residents surveyed live with some degree of unstable job prospects. Precarious employment stretches across all income levels but has more dire consequences for low and middle-income earners, study co-author Michelynn Lafleche said. Income isn’t the only societal factor affecting health. For example, age can also be a determinant, l See REPORT page 2
COMMUNITY
Newmarket is Canada’s 20th most romantic community, Amazon.ca says LISA QUEEN lqueen@yrmg.com Ahh, L’Amour. When you dream of places to spend time with your sweetheart, naturally the most romantic spots come to mind. Paris. Venice. Newmarket. Newmarket? Yes, Newmarket, according to Amazon.ca. In advance of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 comes news the town has made the 20th spot on the company’s annual list of Canada’s most romantic municipalities. Newmarket is one of eight communities new to the list in its eighth year.
It’s not strolling around Fairy Lake hand-in-hand, an evening skate on the outdoor rink at Riverwalk Commons under the twinkling lights, or a candlelight dinner at one of the town’s fine restaurants that qualified Newmarket as a place for lovers. Instead, the list is compiled based on the sales of items such as romance novels and relationships books, romantic comedies, jewelry, and sexual wellness products. Think Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts, the top two authors of romance novels ordered off Amazon’s website. When it comes to movies, traditional favourites such as Pretty l See NEWMARKET page 8
Supplied
Newmarket’s Winter Wonderland, running every Friday until Jan. 8, features a number of winter activities for the entire family including free leisure skating and a light display.
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