Fraser Institute

Taxes Versus Necessities Life Canadian Consumer Tax Index 2026 Edition

National Post

Canadians pay more in taxes than for food, shelter and clothing combined, report finds

Toronto Sun

Canadians spent more on taxes than basic necessities in 2025: Study

Wealth Professional

Canadian families paying 42% of income in taxes, more than all basic needs combined

The Hub

Canadian families paid over $50,000 in tax on average in 2025, more than on food, shelter, and clothing combined: Study

Juno News

Canadian families spend more on taxes than housing, food and clothing combined: study

Financial Post

Opinion: Canadian families spend more on taxes than basic necessities

CTVNews

Canadians spent more on taxes than needs in 2025

Parliamentary Budget Office of Canada

Reducing the lowest federal personal income tax rate to 14 per cent

Prime Minister of Canada

Canadas new government delivers middle-class tax cut

franco_nomics

Prime Minister Carney suspends the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel to lower costs for Canadians

The Globe and Mail

Champagne seeks pitches for tax changes, energy policy ahead of 2026 budget

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FP_Champagne

Pierre Poilievre

Jagmeet Singh

Mark Carney

Jonathan Pedneault

Yves François Blanchet

Maxime Bernier

"Our country is broken. We won't fight in Ukraine. We will also cut foreign aid and bring that money home."

“We will cap government spending with a dollar-for-dollar law that requires we find one dollar of savings for every new dollar of spending"

"We intend from a federal level to have free trade by Canada Day. The agreement is to turn what has been a concept into a reality that will diversify and strengthen our economy."

“Tax cuts might be not such a bad idea if they are intended to support the spending power of low-income citizens. But the question is, where will you find the money?"

It's not your budget that's broken. It's the system. Raising the tax-free threshold to $40K puts up to $3,675 back in your hands — funded by fair corporate taxes. More for you. Less for yachts.

“When we are purchasing vehicles at the federal level -- thinking about the RCMP fleet, thinking about Canada Post and the entire fleet -- we need to be buying entirely Canadian-made vehicles."

Canadian Election: Where Do Candidates Stand on the Economy?

A Fraser Institute study found the average Canadian family spent 41.9% of its income on taxes in 2025, compared to 36% on food, shelter and clothing combined.

A Fraser Institute study found the average Canadian family spent 41.9% of its income on taxes in 2025, compared to 36% on food, shelter and clothing combined.

In 1961, the average family paid 33.5% of its income in taxes and 56.5% on necessities. By 2025, those proportions had reversed, with taxes exceeding basic living costs.

In 1961, the average family paid 33.5% of its income in taxes and 56.5% on necessities. By 2025, those proportions had reversed, with taxes exceeding basic living costs.

The total tax bill of the average Canadian family rose 2,928% since 1961, outpacing shelter costs (2,349%), food (952%), clothing (526%) and the Consumer Price Index (946%).

The total tax bill of the average Canadian family rose 2,928% since 1961, outpacing shelter costs (2,349%), food (952%), clothing (526%) and the Consumer Price Index (946%).

Jake Fuss, the Fraser Institute's director of fiscal studies, said "taxes remain the largest household expense for Canadian families" amid ongoing cost-of-living concerns.

Jake Fuss, the Fraser Institute's director of fiscal studies, said "taxes remain the largest household expense for Canadian families" amid ongoing cost-of-living concerns.

Even adjusted for inflation, the average family's tax bill grew 189.5%, rising from $17,518 in 1961 to $50,721 in 2025, according to the Fraser Institute study.

Even adjusted for inflation, the average family's tax bill grew 189.5%, rising from $17,518 in 1961 to $50,721 in 2025, according to the Fraser Institute study.

The Carney government cut the lowest federal income tax rate to 14% from 15% in July 2025, though the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimated average 2026 savings at about $190.

The Carney government cut the lowest federal income tax rate to 14% from 15% in July 2025, though the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimated average 2026 savings at about $190.

Study: Canadian Families Now Spend More on Taxes Than Necessities

The Controversies

Bernier

Poilievre

Carney

Blanchet

Pedneault

Singh

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