It also underscores how important sport at all levels is to building a sense of community and pride in our country. It is an accurate reflection of the significance of sport in Canada. The recommendations pertaining to the advancement of amateur sport are basically approaches the New Democratic Party endorses. Indeed, we support most recommendations in the report. However, the recommendations pertaining to tax expenditures for professional sport are not supportable under current circumstances.
Professional sports are important to individual athletes, families and communities.
Teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, the Saskatchewan Roughriders or the Montreal Canadians provide entertainment to millions of Canadians. Canadians believe their particular favourite team is worthy of support, as do the New Democratic Party Caucus Members. It is our view that some professional sports cannot be strengthened or even maintained with some tax supports in isolation. Our Sub-Committee has not adequately explored the implications of tax expenditure recommendations. Nor have the professional sports franchises, their owners and players agreed on what they should be doing collectively to re-invest in amateur sport and Canadian communities to deserve additional tax consideration.