In Ontario, Canada we have an election coming up. 

On June 3, we are faced with a choice of mediocre (at best) options to lead our province of 15 million people.  The topics are well discussed through mainstream media,  leading the charge on every party’s platform is health care.  

Political parties are debating on where billions should be spent in bolstering our failing health care system. No one is arguing that money should be spent on increasing capacity, recruitment and retention of nurses and health care workers, mental health initiatives and increasing access to basic services for those without benefits.

What is staggering is that no one, and I mean no one is talking about the portion of health care that is preventative.

Correction, they are.....they are talking about taxing gym memberships??

In 2012, researchers at Queen’s University estimated that physical inactivity cost the Canadian government $6.8 billion annually from the direct costs of treating preventable chronic conditions and indirect costs such as loss of labor and disability claims.

According to research presented to the House of Commons, every dollar spent on physical activity saves the government $6 in treating chronic illness.

Access to regular physical activity should be tax deductible.

The benefits of regular physical activity are indisputable, including to the provinces bottom line.

In the late 1980's public education in Canada severely reduced access to Physical Education. That has not worked out so well for the generations since (understatement).

Why is no one addressing the prevention side of health care?

The solutions are not rocket science. Incentivize access to facilities, programs, education and health lifestyle habits.