Canada’s new government Children’s Fitness Tax Credit is a means to promote regular exercise, balanced growth and healthy lifestyles among children. This tax credit should come into force on January 1, 2007, and will apply to fees paid for an eligible program of physical activity for children under 16 years of age. The 2006 federal budget proposed the creation of a Children’s Fitness Tax Credit to cover eligible fees up to $500 for enrolment in a physical activity program.
The purpose of this credit is to facilitate access by children and youth to physical activity and recreation programs, as a means of helping them maintain a healthy active lifestyle.
The need for this tax credit is underscored by the challenges presented by childhood obesity. In the past two decades, obesity has emerged as one of the biggest health problems facing Canada. While this tax credit is not designed as a comprehensive strategy that addresses the full complexity of these issues, Kaizen Fitness believes that it will be an important catalyst to help children to be more active and healthy.
Cardio-respiratory endurance must be a component of an eligible activity that covers the following:
- Muscular Strength
- Muscular endurance
- Flexibility and Balance
Kaizen Fitness recommends:
- A minimum of 30 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity for children under ten.
- A minimum of 60 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity for children ten and over.
