Join Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) on June 12th 2012, as we host a Fitness Day on the Hill event in Ottawa.
This event will be held on the Parliament lawn and include a group exercise class for all members to participate. It will also provide representatives from the fitness industry an opportunity to interact with key government officials and members of parliament.
On April 3, 2011, Prime Minister Harper promised that he would introduce a new $500 Fitness Tax Credit for adults once the budget is balanced (targeted 2015-2016); in addition, would double the existing Children's Fitness Tax Credit from $500 to $1,000 dollars. According to the recent 2012 Federal Budget, the Minister of Finance stated that an improved economic outlook should see a return to a balanced budget after 2014-2015, leading to a surplus of $3.4 billion in fiscal 2015-2016. This is fantastic news for the fitness industry since it means that the promises made by Prime Minister Harper have a greater chance to come into effect sooner than estimated. One of the major goals of Fitness Day on the Hill is to keep the proposed Adult Fitness Tax Credit in the forefront.
This event will also provide FIC with the opportunity to advocate for our newest initiative, Caloric Menu Legislation: legislation that would require fast food chains, with 10 or more locations, to post the number of calories beside prices on menu boards, and also flag high sodium content in food items.
We are also very proud to introduce MenuTruth.ca, a website which allows Canadians to advocate for a Caloric Menu Legislation by sending ePostcards directly to their given Province’s Premier, Minister of Health, as well as the Federal Minster of Health and Prime Minister.
FIC would like to invite all our supporters to Ottawa this June 12th and help advocate for these two initiatives.
Sincerely,
David Hardy, President, Fitness Industry Council of Canada
Trisha Sarker, Association Manager, Fitness Industry Council of Canada
About Us
Fitness Industry Council of Canada(FIC) is the not-for-profit trade association representing the voice of fitness facility operators across Canada with over 5,000 facilities and 4 million members nationwide.
FIC aims to work with both industry and government to improve the health and physical activity levels of Canadians through the promotion of initiatives such as the Adult Fitness Tax Credit campaign and Caloric Menu Legislation campaign.
FIC works with industry partners to uncover a solution to Canada's growing obesity epidemic.
FIC is completely funded by membership donations from fitness facilities, industry suppliers, operators, and supporters. To pledge you support for FIC and to send a donation, please make a secure payment through PayPal Here.
For more information on Fitness Industry Council of Canada, please visit: www.FICDN.ca.
Adult Fitness Tax Credit
Since 2006, Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) has been lobbying both the federal and provincial governments to implement an Adult Fitness Tax Credit.
On April 3, 2011, FIC came one step closer to reacing our goal by the announcement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that a re-elected Conservative Government will introduce a new $500 Fitness Tax Credit for adults once the budget is balanced (Target 2015-2016). In addition, Mr. Harper announced that he would double the existing Children' Fitness Tax Credit from $500 to $1,000 dollars during the next Conservative mandate.
During the recent 2012 Federal Budget, the Minister of Finance said that an improved economic outlook should see a return to a balanced budget after 2014-2015, leading to a surplus of $3.4 billion in fiscal 2015-2016. This is fantastic news for the fitness industry since it means that the promises made by Prime Minister Harper have a greater chance to come into effect sooner than estimated. By making the purchase of gym membership's tax deductable, there is significant potential to increase the demand for the fitness industry.
FIC has developed www.adultfitnesstaxcredit.ca - a website which allows Canadians to send ePostcards directly to the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, and local Members of Parliament supporting the Adult Fitness Tax Credit campaign.
Why an Adult Fitness Tax Credit is good for all Canadians
According to an economic study commissioned by FIC in December 2007, the federal government could expect to save $2.5 billion in net health-care costs over the next 21 years by extending the benefits of the current Children's Fitness Tax Credit to include adults.
For more information on the Adult Fitness Tax Credit, please visit: www.adultfitnesstaxcredit.ca.
Caloric Menu Legislation
Fitness Industry Council of Canada is championing to propose a Caloric Menu Legislation. Based on the recently passed federal legislation in the United States (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), this Canadian legislation would require fast food chains with 10 or more locations to post the number of calories on menu items and flag high sodium content.
The proposed Canadian Caloric Menu Legislation is intended to influence the eating habits of individuals by educating them on the nutritional value of the food that they are consuming; and in turn, affect the decisions of enough people to create a public health benefit.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the current yearly economic costs associtated with obesity are estimated at arround 7.1 billion nationally. Obesity is also a leading factor for premature death in Canada, as one in four Canadians are considered obese (with a body mass index of 30 or greater). Also, a staggering two in three Canadians are considered overweight. Statistics also show that 50% of new gym members cite weight loss as their main reason for joining the gym. With that in mind, there are two important factors when looking to lose weight — exercise and proper nutrition.
FIC's goal is to champion this legislation in Canada. This initiative would be good for the health of all Canadians by providing them with a choice: Better health through better knowledge.
In order to initiate this campaign, FIC has developed MenuTruth.ca — where individuals are able to show their support by sending ePostcards directly to their Premier and Minister of Health for their given Province.In addition, the ePostcard will be automatically sent to the Federal Health Minister and the Prime Minister. These messages will act as a petition to promote the Caloric Menu Legislation.
For more information on the Caloric Menu Legislation, please visit: www.MenuTruth.ca.
Get Involved with FIC
Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) is always looking for new Provincial Council members to join the FIC team.
Comprised of FIC members from each province, the Provincial Council focuses on dealing with legislation and building relationships with government officials, so our industry may become an active part of legislative decisions concerning the Canadian fitness industry.
Provincial Council members are involved in all FIC decision making and have an integral role in promoting FIC's initiatives.
For more information on how to become a Provincial Council member, please contact Trisha Sarker, FIC Association Manager at tsarker@ficdn.ca.
Pledge Your Support!
Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) is a not-for-profit trade association; any donated amount will go directly to the cost of FIC's initiatives (ie. Adult Fitness Tax Credit campaign, Caloric Menu Legislation campaign) - including the Fitness Day on the Hill event.
In order to show your support for FIC's initiatives, you are welcome to send FIC a donation by making a secure payment through PayPal Here.
We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you June 12th 2012 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa!
Contact
We look forward to hearing from you! We would be more than happy to answer any questions or comments.
David Hardy, President - Fitness Industry Council of Canada
13543 St. Albert Trail, Second Floor, Edmonton, AB, T5L 5E7
Tel: 1-866-402-FICC (3422)
or
Trisha Sarker, Association Manager - Fitness Industry Council of Canada
13543 St. Albert Trail, Second Floor, Edmonton, AB T5L 5E7
Tel: 780-732-5018
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