May 3, 2006 – With the introduction of a tax credit for youth sport registration fees, the Conservatives took their first step toward implementing their election commitments to Canadians concerning sport and physical activity. “Some Canadians will benefit from this sport tax credit. Many others have been calling for the government to fulfill its commitment to invest the equivalent of 1% of the federal health budget on sport and physical activity,” says Ian Bird, Senior Leader of the Sport Matters Group. “My sense is that the new government is taking cautious steps, while Canadians want immediate action to create an active, healthy Canada and to tackle our physical inactivity crisis.”

“A sport tax credit gives us one new lever to encourage sport participation. To make real progress in increasing activity levels, Canadians need a comprehensive approach including an investment in sport development programs and community facilities,” emphasizes Dr. Andrew Pipe, Director of the Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre, Ottawa Heart Institute.

“Clearly we welcome every attempt to encourage young people to participate in sport,” affirms Jamie Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, Sport Nova Scotia, “and the tax credit is a good first step. However, if we are going to reach our goal of a 10% increase in participation, more needs to be done. Increased investment in sport programming at the grassroots level and a strategic plan to address the deficit in sport and recreation infrastructure must be our next priorities.”

“Opportunities to participate in community sport and to achieve sporting excellence are what Canadians are calling for,” notes Paul Melia, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. “If a tax plan is part of the solution, let’s ensure that benchmarks and evaluation measures are established to ensure that the tax credit does what is intended””increase sport participation by young Canadians.”

The Sport Matters Group will be working with Sport Minister Chong and Members of Parliament in the coming months to see that the government’s promise of a significant investment in sport and physical activity becomes a reality.

The SMG is a voluntary group of roughly 90 national and provincial organizations and individuals who have come together to collaborate on issues that affect sport and physical activity in Canada. The SMG has actively worked together on the Canadian Sport Policy, the Sport and Physical Activity Act, the Voluntary Sector Initiative, and on increasing the resources available for sport in Canada.