K, it's true, according to the CBC.

The tax credit, aimed at parents with children under 16, would allow them to claim $500 in registration fees per child, to "provide modest tax assistance for families who have kids in sports and fitness activities," Harper said

Y'know, I'm glad I learned long ago not to watch the news before bed. This is real upsetting! I got nothing against sports, sports are great, but .... what about music, I say!   I wanna see a $200 donation per Canadian public school student, from the federal gov't, to be spent on high quality, mandatory public school music programs from JK up to Gr 12. AND a $500 credit for parents of private music students under the age of 16 too.

That would do more for this nation than any amount donated for sports!   Music education produces smarter, happier, community-minded people who are more in touch with their emotions, their creativity and with each other. ANd the younger kids start, the better.   Music develops co-ordination and concentration, enhances memory, builds math and science and reading skills, encourages the ability to work independently and trouble-shoot one's problems without supervision. It develops self-discipline, as the student learns to prioritize and budget time wisely to meet goals. PLus, music is enjoyable - it's soul-food!

And scientists continue to discover how much musical education and practice builds the brain. Through regular use, certain areas of musicians' brains grow larger and heavier and better "interconnected" than non-musicians.

And bigger brains must take much longer to freeze, too. Hey, maybe that's what's wrong with Harper. Is he a musician? Does anyone know? Does he want to produce a generation of well-muscled dolts or what?!?