Fitness tax credit for seniors makes sense

Stanley Murray, a letter writer from Central Lot 16, says society will benefit if aging baby boomers stay fit. Here's his letter, which will be carried in Wednesday's Guardian.

Editor:
In the last federal budget, the government included a tax credit for parents of youngsters who joined an organized sports activity, which I, in principle, support.
I would suggest that there is another age group of the population that deserves at least equal consideration, namely our seniors.
Research has proven that accelerated aging is the direct result of inactivity.
Physical inactivity is estimated to cost Canada $5.3 billion annually, according to the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute - $1.6 billion of that amount in direct treatment costs. According to a 2002 Health Canada report on Healthy Aging and Physical Activity, by retirement age, 60 per cent of Canadians are sedentary and activity levels continue to drop with age and 75 per cent are insufficiently active to lower personal health risks. The research council also estimates that there would be 26 per cent fewer deaths from type 2 diabetes; 20 per cent fewer deaths from colon cancer and 22 per cent fewer deaths from cardiovascular disease if people were more physically active on a regular daily exercise routine.
Similar studies over the past 10 years found that physical activity also improved blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and glucose levels.
As the baby boomer generation moves through to old age, keeping the lid on health-care costs will become increasingly more and more difficult. As an incentive to seniors (as well as all segments and demographics of society), I petition each candidate and party to reply with their policy and individual stand on this preventative health-care issue, specifically, their stand on a tax credit for membership fees paid to fitness clubs, wellness centres, spas, pools, etc.
Stanley Murray,
Central Lot16

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