An online petition to stop the Saskatchewan government’s 6% fitness tax in the 2022–23 budget has almost reached its goal..The petition is seeking 7,500 signatures from Saskatchewanians with the hope of the government changing its tax increase scheduled for October 2022..The Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) started the petition, which has around 6,800 signatures..“We are opposed to this tax. If implemented, the tax will deter individuals from focusing on their mental, physical, immune, and social health. Fitness is a part of our healthcare recovery — especially post-pandemic,” said the petition..Sara Hodson, FIC president, wants the fitness industry to be part of the healthcare solution as people return to their pre-pandemic lives, but making fitness more expensive does not help..“They want to balance the budget at the expense of health. Our physical and mental health has deteriorated over the last two years and physical activity is essential to reverse this,” said Hodson. .“We have to be part of the healthcare solution. This tax will prevent many Saskatchewan [people] from joining a gym.”.Hodson cites a 2012 Queen’s University study where the “cost of physical inactivity in Canada was $6.8 billion — from direct healthcare costs to higher mortality rates and lost productivity.”.“We believe the true cost of physical inactivity is much higher now,” said Hodson. .NDP Official Opposition Critic for Jobs and Economy Aleana Young supports the gym owners not wanting the increase while the fitness industry recovers from COVID-19..“A 6% PST on gym memberships adds even more barriers to fitness and mental health,” said Young. .“We should be encouraging people to reconnect and support local businesses. Instead, the Saskatchewan Party is kicking the fitness industry when it’s down. Gyms shouldn’t foot the bill for this government’s pandemic and financial mismanagement.” .Edward and Jolene de Vries of Esterhazy and Yorkton Anytime Fitness are advocates for the Saskatchewan fitness industry..They are worried about how this tax increase will affect people’s ability to pay for gym memberships while personal finances are recovering from the pandemic..“The fitness tax will hurt cash-strapped people and businesses. We cannot afford to compromise our health and wellness at a time when our hospitals are stretched to the max,” said Edward.de Vries. .“Everyone I talk to is worried, and no one was consulted. I fear people will cancel their memberships, and it’s hard to blame them. Food, fuel, housing, everything is getting more expensive. At a time when the government should be making life easier, they’re making it harder.” .“The fitness industry is there to support our healthcare system. For every dollar invested in healthy eating and physical activity, six dollars are saved in the cost of healthcare,” said Jolene..The 6% tax increase will make tobacco and fitness memberships taxed the same in Saskatchewan..The tax hike on fitness is one of 32 new taxes and fees the government introduced in the 2022–23 budget..Chris Oldcorn is a Western Standard Reporter based in Regina.,coldcorn@westernstandard.news,Twitter: @chrisoldcorn,.Parler: @chrisoldcorn
