Prescribed program

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Prescribed program

To qualify for this tax credit, a program must:

  • be ongoing (last at least eight consecutive weeks or, in the case of children's camps, five consecutive days);
  • be supervised;
  • be suitable for children; and
  • require significant physical activity. Generally, most of the activities must include a significant amount of physical activity contributing to cardiorespiratory endurance, plus one or more of:
    • muscular strength,
    • muscular endurance,
    • flexibility, and/or
    • balance.

Physical activity includes strenuous games like hockey or soccer, activities such as golf lessons, horse-back riding, sailing and bowling as well as others that require a similar level of physical activity.

For more information on the activities that contribute to cardio-respiratory endurance, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's Physical Activity Guides for children and youth.

Notes

For a child who qualifies for the disability amount, the requirement for significant physical activity is met if the activities result in movement and in an observable use of energy in a recreational context.

The following activities do not qualify:

  • activities where riding in, or on, a motorized vehicle is an essential part of the activity;
  • self-directed (unsupervised) activities;
  • activities that are part of a regular school program; or
  • sports-academics programs.

Fees charged for extra-curricular programs that take place in school are eligible.

Fees paid by parents for accommodation, travel, food, or beverages (e.g. room and board at a fitness camp) do not qualify.

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Date modified:
2016-05-25