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An industry trade group, the Fitness Industry Council of Canada, is also pushing for the government to act on the promise, saying it would reduce health care costs and save federal and provincial governments $1.1 billion by 2029.

The 2011 platform said the credit would apply to registration fees for “fitness activities,” suggesting it could be used to deduct the costs of adult sports league fees, ski lift passes and other pursuits beyond just gym clubs.

Physical fitness, the platform said, “helps avoid major chronic health problems, and increases overall well-being. And there’s a huge range of activities that can help achieve these goals – from hockey at the rec centre to time on the treadmill.”

The Conservatives have favoured so-called boutique tax credits aimed a certain groups — particularly middle-class families — rather than the across-the-board tax rate cuts preferred by the previous Liberal governments.

The Tories implemented a $500 tax credit for children’s fitness activities in 2007, then bumped the eligible amount to $1,000. They have also offered tax credits for public-transit riders, children’s arts and music activities, and even a credit for volunteer firefighters.

The deduction would result in a maximum reduction of taxes payable of $75. As a refundable tax credit, it could be paid to people who don’t owe any income tax.

Adopting the credit in this year’s budget would allow the Tories to say they had made good on another campaign promise at a comparatively small cost.

The costs of implementing the credit for adults of all ages — as promised in the campaign — was estimated by the government to cost $69 million in the first year and $275 million each year after.

Subsequent estimates by the Parliamentary Budget Officer pegged the cost for offering the credit to only those age 55 and older at a maximum of $47 million annually.

The credit could be a boon for fitness club, effectively subsidizing them in part with taxpayer money.

Goodlife operates more than 300 clubs and gyms across the country.