May 3, 2006, — Athletes CAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, acknowledges the federal government’s budget commitment to support families with children in organized sport, but is disappointed with the Conservatives’ failure to follow through on the election platform of “spending at least one percent of federal health funding annually on physical activity, including amateur sport. “

“The tax credit is a nice first step, but a larger investment in sport must be made if Canadian athletes are to reach their full potential,” says Athletes CAN President Michael Smith. “One percent of total health funding dedicated to sport and physical activity would have been a major boost to the Canadian sport system and to current and future high performance athletes. It is too bad it didn’t happen.”

The federal tax credit, set to come into effect on January 1, 2007, will provide up to $500 for parents of children under 16 years old in sports programs for registration fees and memberships.

“We want Canada to be a country where our athletes have every chance to be their best and the tax credit only scratches the surface of reaching that goal,” says Guy Tanguay, CEO of Athletes CAN. “Athletes CAN looks forward to working with the Conservative Government over their term in office to fulfill their platform promise of one percent.”