Taxation rates in Canada unfair

This article from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation CBC website is reporting on a study that showed that the very wealthiest citizens are paying less in taxes than the very poorest in Canada.  These taxes included not only income taxes but all taxes paid by all groups, such as sales taxes, property taxes, payroll taxes, and gas taxes.   I think for most of my American friends they would be shocked to hear that those in the highest income bracket (over $266,000) ONLY paid 30.5% in taxes.  The sad truth is that Canada has created many, many, regressive taxes and service charges to make up for the much advertised tax cuts in income tax.  The poorest (less than $13,523) can least afford to pay these and feel them much more keenly than those in the higher income bracket.  In the study it was determined that the poorest Canadians did indeed pay very little if any income tax but it that these increases in other taxes added up to 30.7% of their total income.

I usually ponder the differences between the United States and Canada whenever I end up paying large amounts in health care costs.  Yesterday’s root canal and crown will cost me $900, my ankle surgery from August has cost about $1300.  These are my out of pocket expenses, the service providers have charged significantly more to my health and dental plans.  I had to argue with the financial services person to change a portion of the bill being directly charged to my insurance company.  The bill showed that they had done a panoramic xray of my teeth when they had not and I pointed this out to the staff member.  She asked me what did I care since the insurance would just pay it.  Arghhh. Its this attitude that has resulted in the over inflation of bills that realistically only get paid by those without insurance.  My insurance company will negotiate with the service provider to a much lower bill amount than is originally submitted.

For those Canadians who are thinking that American style health care is the answer think about significantly more than 10% of your income going to maintain your basic health care through co-payments and monthly premiums.  Think about your lack of mobility if you have a spouse or family for fear of losing your benefits for even a short while.  Think about the millions who do not receive basic health care and the chronic illnesses that result.  Think about what your taxes do support in Canada and decide if you believe in a system that is troubled but still provides basic universal health care for everyone.