: We would also like the tax credit to apply to artistic activities because, in our view, the reasoning which was applied to sporting activities also applies to artistic ones. Everyone recognizes the benefits of physical fitness in children. It comes back to many of the things which were said around the table with regard to population health. A little earlier, Ms. Wilson alluded to preventative measures.
It all makes sense. We feel that applying the tax credit to sporting activities only is discriminatory. That is one of the arguments underlying our suggestion that the tax credit be extended to the arts. Further, you ask whether tax credits are for us the best way to achieve our goals. It is one of the ways, and if it were applied, it should be applied equally for all Canadian families. Families make different choices as far as their children's development is concerned, some parents choose to give their children additional activities, and this should be recognized.
That being said, the government has other tools at its disposal, and they should also be applied, not only in the area of arts, but also in the area of arts and culture. I believe it is dangerous to only use tax credits, because it means that the federal government has less flexibility if it wants to take very specific measures and make investments. That concerns us.
So we are in a bit of an ambiguous situation in that regard. We are saying “we too”, but we advise caution because if this is what the government chooses to do, it could lead to problems.