Ontario

The 2009 Ontario budget announced tax reforms that involve blending the 8% Ontario Retail Sales Tax (PST) and the 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). Finance Minister, Dwight Duncan plans to implement the new 13% Harmonized Sales Tax on July 1, 2010. In addition to the July 1st deadline, the HST would generally apply to pre-payments starting on May 1, 2010 and on goods and services that would be provided on or after July 1, 2010.

The aim of the Government's Harmonized Sales Tax is to foster economic reform and to increase competition among businesses. The HST will reduce taxes paid on contributions by businesses, which will mean that the tax burden will shift to consumers and affect a broader base of goods and services including fitness.

The health of citizen's in Ontario will be greatly affected if the HST is introduced in the province as individuals will face increased costs and barriers to being physically active. For instance the average fitness membership will increase in cost by 8% and all sporting registrations will increase by the same amount. The new tax may force people to forgo their sporting and leisure activities and as a result negatively impact their health and well-being. With a growing obesity and inactivity crisis in Canada, now is not the time to be taxing people for maintaining their health. Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) has built and created this website in order to solicit your support and in turn encourage the Government of Ontario to provide a HST fitness exemption.

British Columbia

British Columbia plans to harmonize their 7% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) with the 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) effective July 1, 2010. The proposed Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in British Columbia would be 12%. The government argues that by implementing the HST: it will boost new business investment, improve productivity, enhance economic growth and create new jobs. However there will be an increase in cost for most consumers as the new HST is a consumption tax; meaning those who spend the most will pay the most everyday.

Before the May 2009 election, Premier Gordon Campbell and the Liberal Government of British Columbia promised that they would not bring an HST into effect. Recently however, the Premier announced that British Columbia will follow in the footsteps of Ontario's Premier, Dalton McGuinty and implement a Harmonized Sales Tax. As with Ontario, the Harmonized Sales Tax will greatly affect the health and well-being of British Columbian's by adding a 7% tax all fitness related activities.

To learn more about Fitness Industry Council of Canada please visit: www.ficdn.ca.