National Golf Industry Awareness Days The Canadian Society of Club Managers ________________________________________________________ La Société canadienne des directeurs de clubs Photo credits: Denis Drever and Neil Valois National Golf Industry Awareness Days Reception June 6th - June 7th, 2011 The National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) brought golf industry representatives from across the country to Parliament Hill in order to comment on Minister Flaherty’s recent Budget and to advocate for tax fairness for the game of golf, Canada’s most popular sport. NAGA held the industry’s first federal golf awareness day to underscore the importance of the sport for the health of Canadians, and the significance of the industry for the Canadian economy. The Issue Due to a 40-year-old tax reform, the Canada Revenue Agency does not allow deductions for expenses incurred by business people entertaining clients at golf courses. Canada’s 2,500 golf courses, most of whom are small business operators, cannot compete fairly with all other hospitality industries where CRA does support entertaining clients. Over time, the unfairness of this discrimination against the golf industry has become more and more significant. In 1971, the golf industry consisted mostly of member owned, not-for-profit, private golf clubs, which were actually social clubs, not businesses. However, virtually all golf courses since then have been built as tax paying, for-profit businesses, competing in the marketplace with all others in the hospitality and entertainment industries. Therefore, the unfairness against golf courses dictated by the Income Tax Act is a much more widespread concern today. To these 2,500 golf course operators, who are now facing the most competitive marketplace in the industry’s history, this unfair tax legislation is no longer a tolerable disadvantage. Delegates spoke to MPs and Senators and requested a 50% allowable deduction for greens fees and golf car rentals, which would then allow fair competition with other hospitality and entertainment industries. National Golf Industry Awareness Days Reception th th To kick-off the day, NAGA hosted a reception in the East Block Courtyard on Parliament Hill. June 6 - June 7 , 2011 It was the perfect occasion for the delegates to mingle with Members of Parliament (MP) and Senators in a less formal environment. The reception featured several golf activities including a launch monitor, a golf simulator and a putting green. The reception also featured a raffle with some fantastic prizes including tickets to the RBC Canadian Open, and gift certificates to several golf courses. All proceeds of the raffle served to benefit theThe Mike Weir Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing the physical, emotional and educational welfare of children. Over 70 MPs, Senators, and Parliamentary Staffers attended the reception. This was a fantastic achievement particularly given that this was NAGA’s first ever federal government advocacy effort. This high attendance showcases the interest MPs and Senators have in the national golf industry, and their commitment to its future success. Mr. John Carmichael, M.P. for Don Valley West, ON enjoys a beverage Mr. Peter Stoffer, M.P. for Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS poses with with Jim Flett. Gary Bernard. Mr. Richard Harris, M.P. for Cariboo—Prince George, BC listens to Jeff Calderwood listens to Mr. Leon Earl Benoit, M.P. for Vegreville— Mark Trepanier while enjoying a beverage. Wainwright, AB. Jim Flett and Greg Richardson speak with Mr. Daryl Kramp, M.P. for Mr. Massimo Pacetti, M.P. for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC listens Prince Edward—Hastings, ON. intently to Michael Mather. Scott Simmons discusses issues with Mr. Ray Boughen, M.P. for Palliser, Karen Rackel speaks to Mr. Claude Gravelle, M.P. for Nickel Belt, ON. SK and Mr. Terence Young, M.P. for Oakville, ON. Mr. Mike Wallace, M.P. for Burlington, ON practices his swing. Mr. Richard Harris, M.P. for Cariboo—Prince George, BC gets a hole in one. Scott Simmons and Glenn Cundari speak with Mr. Jay Aspin, M.P. for Mr. Pierre Nantel, M.P. for Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC and Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON. Official Shadow Cabinet Critic for Sport speaks to Dallas Desjardins and Scott Atkinson. A local golf professional gives putting tips to Mr. Joe Comartin, M.P. for Jeff Calderwood speaks with Mr. Randall Garrison, M.P. for Windsor—Tecumseh, QC and Mr. David Tilson, M.P. for Dufferin— Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC. Caledon, ON. Gary Bernard calls out a winner for one of the raffle draws with the help of Mr. Peter Stoffer, M.P. for Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS. Breakfast with the Minister of State for Sport Press Conference The Hon. Bal Gosal, Minister of State for Sport, kicked off the day on June 7th by meeting the team for a gourmet breakfast in the Parliamentary Dining Room. This offered an excellent occasion for the team to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges facing the golf industry, and to dialogue with the Minister about ways to raise the industry’s profile among other government decision makers. Jim Flett shakes hands with Minister Gosal. Minister Gosal listens intently to Scott Atkinson. Minister Gosal addresses the delegates while Karen Rackel, Elizabeth Di Chiara and Scott Atkinson look on. Press Conference NAGA Government Relations Director Jeff Calderwood, NAGA media spokesperson Scott Simmons and NAGA French media spokesperson Nathalie Lavallée held a bilingual press conference in the Charles Lynch Room on Parliament Hill. This presentation was an opportunity to spread awareness of the golf industry’s current concerns. The 30 minute appearance was broadcast live throughout Parliament Hill, in each MP and Senator office and was viewed by Press Gallery bureaus. Several media outlets came out to cover the press conference, including: CBC Television, CTV Television, Sun Media and iPOLITICS. Mr. Peter Stoffer, M.P. for Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS also spoke to reporters at the conclusion of NAGA’s presentation. A media advisory was sent out to every media outlet in Canada prior to the presentation. A press release detailing the event was subsequently distributed as well. Jeff Calderwood and Nathalie Lavallée look on as Scott Simmons addresses the media at NAGA’s National Golf Industry Awareness Day Press Conference. Mr. Peter Stoffer, M.P. for Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS speaks with reporters at NAGA’s press conference. Select Media Coverage Meetings with MPs and Senators Throughout the day, golf industry representatives met with key players from every political party and various ridings. Overall, MPs and Senators were very supportive of NAGA’s issues, and many commented that a consistent government relations strategy will be key in getting the attention of policy makers. Delegates met with the following MPs and Senators: • The Hon. Jim Flaherty, P.C., M.P., Minister of Finance • The Hon. Lisa Raitt, P.C., M.P., Minister of Labour • The Hon. Gail Shea, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue • The Hon. Bev Oda, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Cooperation • Mr. Dean Del Mastro, M.P. for Peterborough, ON and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister • Mrs. Shelly Glover, M.P. for Saint Boniface, MB and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance • Ms. Cathy McLeod, M.P. for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue • Mr. Andrew Saxton, M.P. for North Vancouver, BC and Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and for Western Economic Diversification • The Hon. John McCallum, P.C., M.P. for Markham—Unionville, ON • The Hon. Michael Chong, M.P. for Wellington—Halton Hills, ON • The Hon. John McKay, M.P. for Scarborough—Guildwood, ON • Mr. Justin Trudeau, M.P. for Papineau, QC and the Liberal Critic for Post Secondary Education, Youth and Amateur Sport • Mr. Scott Armstrong, M.P. for Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS • Mr. Peter Stoffer, M.P. for Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS • Mr. Daryl Kramp, M.P. for Prince Edward—Hastings, ON • Mr. Mike Allen, M.P. for Tobique—Mactaquac, NB • Mr. Kevin Sorenson, M.P. for Crowfoot, AB • Mr. Glenn Thibeault, M.P. for Sudbury, ON • Mr. Ron Cannan, M.P. for Kelowna—Lake Country, BC • Mr. Terence Young, M.P. for Oakville, ON • Mr. Dennis Fraser Bevington, M.P. for Western Arctic, NWT • Mr. Bruce Stanton, M.P. for SImcoe North, ON • Mr. Blake Richards, M.P. for Wild Rose, AB • Mr. Laurie Hawn, M.P. for Edmonton Centre, AB • Mr. Mike Wallace, M.P. for Burlington, ON • Mr. John Carmichael, M.P. for Don Valley West, ON • Mr. Rodger Cuzner, M.P. for Cape Breton—Canso, NS • Ms. Joyce Murray, M.P. for Vancouver Quadra, BC • Mr. Tenzin Khangsar, Chief of Staff to the Hon. Tony Clement, P.C., M.P., Minister of Industry • Mr. Rick Theis, Policy Advisor to the Hon. Bob Rae, P.C., M.P., and Leader of the Liberal Party • Senator Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, Nova Scotia • Senator James Cowan, Nova Scotia • Senator Terry Mercer, Nova Scotia • Senator Gerry St. Germain, British Columbia • Senator Nancy Greene Raine, British Columbia • Senator Larry Campbell, British Columbia Glenn Cundari, Elizabeth Di Chiara and Michael Mather pose with the Hon. Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. Jim Flett, Don MacKay and Gary Bernard pose with the Hon. John Scott Atkinson, Dallas Desjardins and Greg Richardson enjoy a meeting with McCallum, P.C., M.P. for Markham—Unionville, ON. Mr. Kevin Sorenson, M.P. for Crowfoot, AB. Scott Simmons, Jeff Calderwood and Mark Trepanier pose with Mr. Terence Karen Rackel, Gilles Debut and Kenneth Cousineau share a laugh with Mr. Young, M.P. for Oakville, ON. Laurie Hawn, M.P. for Edmonton Centre, AB. Mark Trepanier, Scott Simmons and Jeff Calderwood meet with the Hon. Michael Mather, Elizabeth Di Chiara and Glenn Cundari pose with Ms.