A group that lobbies for legislation designed to improve the health of Quebecers has found that nearly 40% of elementary schools in the province offer less than 15 minutes of recess a day.
The Weight Coalition is calling on the government to mandate a minimum amount of time per day for recreational activities.
It says some of the excuses offered by school principles include small school yards which means recess periods have to be staggered and the amount of time it takes to have the children get dressed.
La Presse says the study found that during the winter months recess periods are often cancelled because they become too time consuming.
The Weight Coalition includes dozens of municipalities and organizations including the City of Montreal, The Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
More information on the Weight Coalition can be found here: