Canadians Pay More in Taxes Than Necessities

💸 Are Taxes Now Canadians’ Biggest Expense?

For many Canadians, taxes represent the single largest expense — even more than food, housing, or clothing. According to the Fraser Institute, the average family now spends more on taxes than on all basic necessities combined.

This includes income tax, payroll deductions, sales tax, property tax, and other fees — all of which can quietly take up nearly half of a person's income.

Where Do These Taxes Go?

Taxes are meant to fund essential public services like:

• Healthcare

• Infrastructure (roads, bridges, public transit)

• Education

• Policing and emergency services

• Social programs

• International aid and global commitments

However, many Canadians are beginning to question whether the return matches the cost.

Concerns have been raised about:

• Rising crime in urban areas

• Lengthy healthcare wait times, with some patients reporting delays in emergency care

• Ongoing infrastructure projects that seem to span decades

• Foreign aid spending, while some domestic needs remain unmet

These concerns have led to a growing public conversation: If taxes are this high, why don’t we see better results?

Why It Matters

Public trust in how tax dollars are used is essential. When Canadians feel they’re paying more but receiving less in return, it raises important questions about transparency, priorities, and accountability in government spending.

This isn’t about avoiding taxes — it’s about ensuring that taxpayer money is spent efficiently and fairly, with measurable outcomes that benefit the public.