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For progressives, the move to make CFTC refundable is the silver lining. But this move does little to alter the policy’s fundamentally inequitable design. Yes, at least now government support is available to all children, not just those in families wealthy enough to qualify for “tax relief.” But equal access to the CFTC is not equitable access. Children living on social assistance will get the same degree of government subsidy for their swimming lessons as children of millionaires will get for their sailing lessons. In order to get the maximum refund, parents must shell out $1,000, a higher barrier for low-income families.

In the scheme of federal budgets, $140 million for CFTC in 2015 is small change. Unfortunately, poor policy design means that despite $150 million spent, thousands of families will still have to say no to their kids’ requests to participate in organized sports. There are clear policy alternatives to the CRTC. Improving the availability of community and school programming, recreation facilities, and opportunities for free play, are all more likely to increase kids’ participation in sport than tax credits.

As we head into the 2015 federal election campaign, likely with a budget surplus, “tax relief” announcements like the CFTC will become more frequent. Their fiscal cost to government is minor in exchange for a good news day. But the cost to an informed, evidence-based conversation on policy is significant. How the opposition parties — and indeed Canadian voters — respond to these giveaways will provide insight into just how serious we are about evidence-based policy in this country. For the sake of Canadian kids, I hope we’re much more serious than the CFTC announcement would suggest.

Annie McEwen is a PhD Candidate at Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration. She researches public policy efforts to reduce the effects of childhood inequality and poverty.