According to the Fraser Institute, as published in the Globe and Mail on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, the average family earned $77,381 in 2013 and paid out 41.8 per cent of it in taxes while spending 36.1 per cent on necessities such as food, clothes and housing. Fraser Institute compares that to 1961, when the numbers were $5,000, 33.5 per cent and 56.5 per cent, respectively. Arresting numbers but the story is quite vague as to what is included in taxes and necessities. In 1961, Canadians paid cash out of pocket for their health care. Now we have that thing called OHIP. Is its cost considered as tax by the Fraser Institute? Now we pay separate municipal taxes to have our garbage recycled. In 1961, pooey, out the door. In so many areas, the things that vex us now seemed to be essential as we added them. Every new bureau, task force, department, privacy commissioner and ombudsman is paid for by you. Globe and Mail
