Let people keep more of their pay

Our view is clear

We want low taxes. That is our goal, not a claim that Canada tops every tax chart. People should have more room to save, buy a home, start a firm or take a better job. Show each cut on its own terms. Do not hide its cost or promise a growth gain that has not been proved.

Compare like with like

The OECD worker earns the average wage in each country and has no children. The Canadian case uses Ontario’s tax rules. The measure counts income tax and payments by both the worker and employer. It leaves out sales tax, property tax and most required payments to private plans. It is not the share of take-home pay lost to tax.

Family type matters. For a married couple with two children and one average wage, Canada’s result is 22.1%. The OECD average is 26.2%. The same country can give very different results for different families.

One family, ten provinces

The province chart uses a family with two adults earning $60,000 and $40,000. Their children are five and seven. The family saves 10% of its income. BC’s model counts income, sales and fuel taxes, less listed credits and provincial child payments.

This is a February 2026 model. Other provinces’ policy choices were frozen at February 1. The model leaves out property tax, CPP, QPP, EI and employer payroll tax. It does not take off federal child benefits. Quebec’s federal tax break is placed in its provincial column. A different pay split or spending pattern will change the answer.

Include local taxes too

Local tax bills matter. But a low property tax rate does not always mean a low bill. Home values and the services paid from that tax vary. A fair city comparison must show the full bill, the home it applies to and the fees left out. We have not yet built that national comparison.

Statistics Canada can compare combined province and local government accounts. That helps show public finances. It does not tell a household what it will pay in one town.

A clear floor and a lower tax load

We also support a basic income. That goal and lower taxes need one clear budget. Show the payment, the benefits it replaces, who gets more and who pays more. A plan that cuts tax in one place and raises it in another must show both sides.

Read Build Canada’s tax plan

Build Canada’s tax memo argues for letting people keep more. We agree with that goal. We still need a full check of the cost, funding and effect on each group.

What we want changed

1. Lower taxes

   Set out cuts at every level, with a clear cost and funding plan.

2. Show real family cases

   Use the same income, ages and pay split. Count tax, fees and lost benefits.

3. Check the result

   Show what people kept, what services cost and whether the promised savings were real.

Who can act

Ottawa, provinces, territories and local councils each set parts of the tax bill. They need to show their own costs and the full effect on people.

What this could cost the public

No rate cut or total cost has been set. Each plan must show lost tax revenue, costs and funding. Savings from reforms must be checked. Hoped-for growth is not cash already in hand.