BC Healthy Living Alliance

The BC Healthy Living Alliance (BCHLA) is the largest coalition of health leaders in the history of this province. It was formed in 2003 with a mission to lead collaborative actions to promote physical activity, healthy eating and living smoke-free in order to improve the overall health of British Columbians.

Currently, the BCHLA comprises of 9 members including:

  • Major Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) involved in the prevention of chronic diseases (The BC Lung Association, Canadian Diabetes Association Pacific Division, Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon, Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon Division).
  • Organizations with direct links to local governments and communities - Union of BC Municipalities and BC Recreation and Parks Association
  • Key health and wellness professionals - Dietitians of Canada BC Region, BC Pediatric Society, and the Public Health Association of BC.

In addition, BCHLA has advisory representation from each of the following government related bodies:

  • Six BC Health Authorities
  • 2010 Legacies Now
  • Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Ministry of Health, and
  • ActNow BC through the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.

A provincial government grant of $25.2 million was made to the Alliance in March of 2006 to promote the goals of ActNow BC . As part of its Healthy Eating Strategy, the BCHLA allocated $1 million of this grant to Dietitians of Canada to support happier and faster implementation of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health "Guidelines for the Sale of Food and Beverages in BC Schools".

Dietitians of Canada, BC Region

The Dietitians of Canada (DC) is a founding member of the BC Healthy Living Alliance and the lead organization for the School Guidelines Support Initiative to support schools to implement the “Guidelines for the Sale of Food and Beverages in BC Schools”. DC is a not-for-profit professional association that provides leadership and support to over 5600 members. DC is committed to promoting the health and well-being of consumers through food and nutrition. They have been involved in supporting the development and implementation of school nutrition guidelines in several other provinces in Canada, including Manitoba and Ontario. And for the past 3 years, with support from the Ministry of Health, have led an initiative to reach decision makers with convincing messages to support healthy eating at school. For further information on nutrition and healthy eating, visit Dietitians of Canada award-winning website at www.dietitians.ca.

Dietitian Services at HealthLink BC (formerly Dial-A-Dietitian)

Dietitian Services at HealthLink BC (formerly Dial-A-Dietitian) is on the leading edge of dietetic practice in the use of technology to provide free, readily accessible, evidence-based nutrition information and support to the public and service providers throughout BC. It is one of a group of services operated under HealthLink BC. The service provides specialized information and access to tools and resources to support the implementation of the "Guidelines for the Sale of Food and Beverages in BC Schools". Schools are encouraged to call 8-1-1 and ask to speak with a registered dietitian for help with implementing the Guidelines and access to local supports. Dietitian Services at HealthLink BC is responsible for promoting and maintaining the Brand Name List with funding support from Dietitians of Canada.