As the Official Opposition critic for sport, I am disappointed to see the elimination of the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit (CFTC) as outlined in the 2016 federal budget.
Under the previous Conservative government, the CFTC was introduced in the 2006 budget to help promote physical fitness among children by making it affordable for Canadian families to register their kids in fitness activities.
The maximum amount of expenses that could be claimed under the credit was then doubled in the 2015 budget, from $500 to $1,000 and was made refundable. Now, under the Liberal government, the CFTC will be eliminated altogether.
Our party understands the importance of promoting physical fitness for children, while also helping to keep more money in the pockets of hardworking Canadian families. Since its implementation, the CFTC has resulted in $1.13 billion in total federal tax savings for Canadians. The CFTC has also made fitness activities more accessible for all Canadian families and specifically promoted physical activity for kids, getting them on track to live an active, healthy lifestyle.
It is disappointing the Liberals do not recognize the importance of the CFTC, both as a means to help with costs for parents, and for the promotion of physical activity for children.
It’s clear the Liberals are raising taxes on hardworking Canadian families to pay for the $30 billion they are borrowing to fund their out of control spending.
Dr. Robert Kitchen
MP Souris-Moose MountainÂ
