According to Statscan data, in 2004, the top 5% of taxpayers received 25% of income and paid 36% of taxes while the bottom 95% of taxpayers received 75% of income and paid 64% of taxes.
For high-income Canadian taxpayers, effective tax rates were about 30%, compared with roughly 12% for non-high-income taxpayers.
A lower, simpler and flatter tax system, where everyone paid the same effective tax rate, would make everyone better off because it would reward, rather than punish, success. It would create a strong incentive to work, save and invest.
Is Canada Off Track?
Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.
Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?
You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey