Video: NAGA Advocates For Tax Fairness For Golf Industry On Parliament Hill
Scott Simmons, CEO Of Golf Canada, And Jeff Calderwood, CEO Of The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, Advocate For Tax Fairness For The Golf Industry At Parliament Hill In Ottawa - Image Courtesy YouTube
OTTAWA – The National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) paid a visit to Parliament Hill recently conducting their National Golf Day and meeting with Parliamentarians to discuss the business of golf in Canada.
“Golf is one of Canada’s most beloved sports with more people playing the game than any other sport,” said Scott Simmons, NAGA Chair and Golf Canada CEO. “There are an estimated 5.7 million Canadian golfers and there are 2,400 golf courses and practice ranges in Canada and the industry contributes more than $14 billion to the GDP per year.”
While golf continues to be a favourite pastime for Canadians, it’s important to note that the small businesses involved in the golf industry have felt the impact of the weak economy over the past several years.
Both participation rates and employment have significantly decreased. The outdated federal tax legislation that places all golf businesses at an unfair competitive disadvantage can no longer be sustained.
“Golf is the most effective option for business people investing in client relations to generate sales and employment” stated Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.
“The income tax act properly allows for those necessary expenses applied to all competing industries such as restaurants, concerts, spectator sports, all other participation sports, theatre, concerts and more. But client golf is not permitted due to a 45-year old section of the Act that was written at a time when golf was a small niche market for the wealthy.
It’s now 2016 and golf is not only the most popular participation sport but also the most valuable client entertainment option for businesses.”
Watch the video below to see the full presentation made by Simmons and Caldwell to advocate for tax fairness for the golf industry at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.