» Canadian Forum
Fitness Industry Canada: Be part of the solution!
Since 2007, Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) has been the voice of Canadian commercial fitness clubs, ensuring that owners and operators understand current issues affecting their businesses. Here is a list of the latest industry updates:
Copyright Reform • In June 2015, Re:Sound, GoodLife,
FIC, Zoom Media and Mood Media sent the Copyright Board of Canada a new agreement for certification of Re:Sound Tariff 6.B, 2013-2017. This settlement agreement cuts Re:Sound’s original request of $18.59 per member per year to approximately 34 cents per member per year to use music in fit- ness areas.
• In March 2015, there was a Notice
of the Board from the Copyright Board of Canada for the Statement of Proposed Royalties to Be Collected by SOCAN for the Public Performance or the Communication to the Public by Telecommunication in Canada of mu- sical or dramatic-musical works for 2016. The hearing will be in April 2017. FIC will monitor the situation for the industry. For now, fitness facilities are to pay SOCAN fees for Tariff 19 and Tariff 15A.
Ontario Consumer Protection Act • In February 2016, the Ontario
government began contacting fitness clubs to determine if their member- ship agreements were consistent with Ontario Consumer Protection laws. Apparently the Ontario government
has received a large number of con- sumer complaints about the fitness in- dustry. FIC contacted the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services Ontario and has offered to work with it to spread information about contract compliance.
• As of April 2015, Consumer
Services Ontario is entitled to “inspec- tion power,” meaning that it can enter and audit a fitness club from a con- sumer protection standpoint. If a club does not comply it is provided with a warning letter, which is a notice of pro- posed compliance in 30 days. FIC will be educating clubs on these require- ments so they are in compliance and do not feel threatened.
Adult Fitness Tax Credit • FIC is currently developing a stra-
tegic plan with our government rela- tions firm, Sussex Strategy Group, to continue our efforts for an adult fitness tax credit that will suit the newly elect- ed government. We have submitted a pre-budget consultation document for review as well as context for inclusion in the Speech from the Throne.
National Health and Fitness Day • June 4 will be FIC’s third year pro- moting National Health and Fitness
Has Your Facility Contributed Yet? FIC operates thanks to contributions from fitness clubs! To become a sup- porting member, clubs with fewer than 1,000 members contribute $500 per year, and clubs with 1,000+ members contribute $1,000 per year. We look out for harmful legislation and promote initiatives that benefit our industry. Your help ensures the sustainability of our association. To make your contribution, contact Trisha Sarker, FIC executive director, at 780-908-1710 or visit us online at
www.FICDN.ca.
38 Fitness Business Canada May/June 2016
Day (NHFD). The government passed Bill S-211 in December 2014, which established the first Saturday in June each year as National Health and Fitness Day. As an FIC initiative, we have been
encouraging participating fitness clubs to waive their drop-in fees for this day. The goal of NHFD is to introduce more individuals to healthy lifestyles to re- duce the healthcare costs attributed to preventable diseases. To register as a participating club, visit
www.gympass.ca.
Caloric Menu Legislation/
MenuTruth.ca • With the assistance of Sussex
Strategy Group, we continue to moni- tor the development of menu licensing. In May 2015, the government passed Bill 45, the Making Healthier Choices Act, which will require calories to be posted on chain restaurant menus that have 20 or more locations in Ontario. It is inevitable that this licensing will go federal since provinces are initiat- ing this same action on their own.
• In March 2016, a Senate committee
began calling for a national campaign to combat obesity, including a possible new tax on sugar-sweetened and artifi- cially-sweetened beverages along with a ban on food advertising that targets children.
Prescription to Get Active • In February 2016, a committee
was created for the Prescription to Get Active initiative (Rxtga). This commit- tee includes the primary care network, municipalities, doctors, fitness facility owners/operators, university research- ers and health and wellness organiza- tions. Two meetings have taken place, and FIC is a participating committee member helping to develop the pro- gram. From this committee, sub-com- mittees have been created to report on trial and satellite programs (such as the cardiology program at World Health Calgary).
• Rxtga is forming a federal not-for-
profit organization. This initiative will allow doctors from across the country to prescribe exercise to patients, and patients will be able to fill their pre- scriptions at participating fitness facili- ties. FBC
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