» Associations

FITNESS INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF CANADA

Why Fitness Providers Need the

People with a common cause can create remarkable change.

BY DON LONGWELL

members, for example, are huge. It strongly influences the debate on fed- eral and international policies affect- ing business. The Canadian Medical Association, founded in 1867, has more than 68,000 members. It vigor- ously and successfully lobbies govern- ments to serve its members and takes the lead on many public health issues. Industry associations serve and

T

protect their members; they also pro- vide information, education and mar- keting opportunities.

IHRSA

IHRSA (The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association) has admirably served its U.S. members for many years and is experiencing increasing success around the world. IHRSA has influenced many health in- surance companies to provide incen- tives or subsidies for those who exer- cise regularly, prevented health club membership taxes in several states and lobbied successfully for month- to-month membership renewals after initial-year memberships.

54 Fitness Business Canada January/February 2009

here are over 43,000 asso- ciations in Canada. Some, like the Canadian Chamber of Commerce with 170,000

IHRSA has protected the U.S.

industry from harmful business reg- ulation, influenced legislation that has increased the size of the exer- cising population and contributed to many national health promotion programs. IHRSA advocacy is shap- ing legislation that creates incentives for Americans to exercise. It also po- sitions the fitness club industry as a critical part of the solution to the healthcare and obesity crises. IHRSA has long been a good friend

to Canada, supporting Canadian IHRSA members, sharing information and providing financial support for government advocacy.

The Canadian Fitness Industry

The Canadian Fitness Industry was without a national association un- til the formation of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada in 2005. Prior to its formation, this magazine once called the Ontario Consumer Protection Bureau to enquire about the Consumer Protection Act 2002 which we had just learned had been passed in the Ontario legislature. New legislation affecting the fitness business was now in effect. “Where

have you been?” the bureau manager asked. No representative for the com- mercial fitness community had had any voice in shaping the legislation that directly applied to its businesses. This also occurred in Quebec; as a re- sult, it now has very restrictive club operations legislation.

The Fitness Industry Council of Canada

Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) is the not-for-profit trade associa- tion formed to promote, protect and grow the commercial fitness industry in Canada. FIC represents over 3,000 commercial fitness facilities in Canada, serving more than 2 million members. With FIC representing more than

5% of Canada’s population, signifi- cant strides have been made on the political landscape. FIC actively pur- sues numerous initiatives to foster government and public awareness regarding the benefits of fitness and active living. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64