Sweat your way to a tax break, suggests Calgary MLA
15.05.2008 17:00
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- Source: cbc.ca
A Calgary Conservative MLA, who got the legislative ball rolling on a province-wide smoking ban, is now proposing a tax break for fitness. Dave Rodney, a former mountain climber who represents the riding of Calgary-Lougheed, wants the province to encourage people to take fitness programs or join health clubs by making the first $1,500 of their fees tax deductible.  Calgary-Lougheed MLA Dave Rodney has introduced a bill in the Alberta legislature to give people a $500 tax break on fitness programs and health club memberships.(CBC)"The hope and the intention is we'd save a whole lot of money on health-care costs," Rodney told CBC News on Tuesday. "But the byproduct or perhaps the most important product being that we have healthier, happier Albertans. That's what this is all about." The federal government already offers such a break for children's fitness programs and Rodney believes the province would do well to extend that benefit to adults. Rodney's private member's bill received first reading last week, and won't be up for debate again until next month. He doesn't expect a final vote until the fall session. Rodney introduced a bill three years ago to ban smoking in all public places. It was ultimately passed, but in a much watered-down form, mainly because of opposition from then-premier Ralph Klein. But last year, under Premier Ed Stelmach, the government finally approved a smoking ban that took effect Jan. 1. Post a commentPeople have commented on this storyRecommend this storyPeople have recommended this storyStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKStory comments (0)Sort:Most recent | First to last | Most recommendedPost your commentNote: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are pre-moderated/reviewed and published according to our submission guidelines. Comment:Characters allowed: 2500PostSubmission policyRelatedInternal LinksIN DEPTH:Alberta PoliticsConsumer HeadlinesRisk of major housing price correction 'very low': Scotiabank00Unmistakeable signs of cooling are appearing in the Canadian real estate market, but the chance of a big drop in prices is "very low," according to an analysis from Scotia Capital.Passengers flying to North with pets face restrictions00Air Canada was forced this month to resume carrying pets on its flights, but as at least one Yellowknife passenger has found, restrictions can make it difficult for some to take advantage of the service.Ground beef recalled in British Columbia00British Columbia consumers are being warned not to eat ground beef distributed by Trimpac Meat Distributors of Vancouver because it may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.Michigan girl scout sells 17,328 boxes of cookies00A Michigan girl scout sold 17,328 boxes of the group's signature cookies this year by setting up shop on a street corner, shattering her troop's old mark and probably setting a national record.New home construction to drop in 2008: CMHC00Higher mortgage costs are expected to slow new home construction in 2008, but numbers will remain high by historical standards, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation said Thursday.Consumer Life FeaturesENERGYEthanol FAQThe merits of alternative fuel still hotly debatedTECHNOLOGYFast foodNew techniques for making fast food fasterTRAVELDiscount dealsLuxury packages for thrifty world travelersBLOGFood BytesHow to make your calories countBLOGComm-OdditiesShipping containers could become condos in DetroitPeople who read this also read …
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