Seven Oaks Magazine.

Christy Clark got plenty of media coverage last week with her advocacy of tax breaks for parents who enrol their children in sports or art activities. The proposal, however, fails to address the roots of the health crisis in our society, which has only been accentuated by the policies implemented by this provincial regime. Much like the hit documentary Super Size Me, Clark’s diagnosis for society’s growing rates of obesity ignores the class dimension of the issue.

Even The Province, in an unsigned editorial, chided the former education minister for including no upper income limit for the tax credit:

Like they say – I guess even a broken clock is right twice a day.

The announcement seemed to signal the B.C. Liberal MLA’s intention to maintain a profile even as she (temporarily at least) bows out of provincial politics. The idea, though rejected at the Liberals’ fall convention, can also be seen as part of a strategy of populist announcements aimed at different sectors and interest groups in the run-up to the spring election.

Originally developed by Port Moody resident Sharon Mack and dubbed “sportsbreak,” the suggested tax credit is billed as an incentive that will help combat childhood health concerns such as obesity – as part of a so-called “spirit of 2010” for this province. Clark’s championing of the cause is clearly designed to polish up the government’s reputation in the eyes of British Columbians involved in sports and cultural activities.

While the Liberals try to get their image in shape for the election, it’s important to note that their neo-liberal economic program has worked precisely to degrade public health, and in particular the well-being of B.C.’s youth. Concretely, the deep-going cuts to the public education system, the creeping privatization of leisure and recreation opportunities, and the increasing “adultification” of kids with the expansion of child labour have combined to damage the physical and emotional health of young people, especially those from working class and poor backgrounds.

Christy Clark, as Minister of Education, personally presided over dozens of school closures and cuts that have seen class size increases and general austerity in our public system. The increased workload for teachers and limited school budgets have resulted in less extra curricular options for students.

A significant increase in physical education time and opportunity for kids is likely the most simple and effective measure that could be taken; rather than the Liberal cuts, a major investment in facilities and – most importantly – teacher hiring would be the best way to implement a “sportsbreak” for B.C. children.

Sporting activities, as well as community arts and music programs, need to be subsidized to reflect the overall value they contribute to society, and to promote equity and accessibility in participation. The Liberals’ measures have only tended in the opposite direction, towards the privatization of recreation. New and increased user fees on public park usage don’t suggest a deep-going concern for promoting physical activity and a healthy life-style.

Finally, increased income inequality – engendered on a global scale by capitalist development and aided locally by measures such as welfare cuts and the introduction of the $6/hr. “training wage” – has put a greater strain on children. B.C. now has the weakest child labour legislation in North America, with 12 year-olds now being exploited for long hours in dangerous and demanding jobs.

This “adultification” of youth, squeezed by the vise of economic need, can only be detrimental to their physical health. And it’s more than a little difficult to play on the volleyball team and take piano lessons when you’re holding down a couple of part-time jobs. (Clark’s proposal seeks to promote “activity,” but doesn’t mention any extra tax breaks for the “activity” of low-paid work).

Though increased participation in leisure activities is a worthy goal, Christy Clark’s concern for the health of B.C. youth rings hollow indeed. The break that most youth and their parents really need is a break from the regressive policies of this Liberal government.

Derrick O'Keefe writes the Left Bank column in the bi-lingual bi-weekly The Source/La Source.