April 9, 2009
For Immediate Release

Gym membership tax defeats the purpose
McGuinty Sales Tax Penalizes Those Battling the Bulge

Queen's Park -- The McGuinty sales tax will defeat some of the government's very own initiatives on active living and healthy food choices, according to Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.

"Well, the McGuinty budget just made it harder for Ontarians to battle the bulge," Barrett told members of the Ontario Legislature yesterday. "The McGuinty sales tax will be charged on gym memberships. With all the other expenses this 13 per cent McGuinty sales tax is creating, a gym membership may be the first thing that people would drop from their household budgets. Fitness equipment and bicycles will also be taxed at 13 per cent, and Ontarians will have less money in their pockets to afford healthy and nutritional food options. Energy bars and energy drinks will cost more. People will reach for that can of pop or that chocolate bar."

It was just a few years ago that the McGuinty government created the Ministry of Health Promotion. Barrett pointed out that the Ministry’s website, indicates:"An epidemic of overweight and obesity is threatening Ontario's health." It goes on to say that in 2003, almost one out of every two adults in Ontario was overweight or obese.

The Ministry's website also lists key factors contributing to the obesity epidemic which include lack of opportunities to be physically active and the fact more and more people do not have the money to make healthy food choices.

"This 13 per cent McGuinty sales tax is a lose-lose situation, not only for those who want to drop a few pounds but also for the state of Ontario's health," Barrett explained. "According to the report the Minister of Health Promotion commissioned, this government should be doing its utmost to provide incentives rather than taking them away."

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