Study: Canadians spend more on taxes than basic needs

Last year, Canadian families spent more than 42% of their income on taxes and 38% on food, shelter and clothing combined, according to research byThe Fraser Institute, a non-partisan think tank based in Vancouver.

Since 1961, "taxes have grown much more rapidly than any other single expenditure for the average Canadian family," the report states. Taxes have increased by 1,939% in that timeframe, while the amount spent on housing has gone up by 1,425%, clothing by 746%, and food by 645%.

In 2015, the average Canadian family brought in $80,593 (about $62,300 in U.S. dollars) and spent more than $30,000 (about $23,202 USD) on taxes.

In 1961, total Canadian taxes — including income tax; payroll and health taxes; sales tax; profit taxes; liquor, tobacco, amusement excise, auto, fuel and natural resource taxes; and import duties — were about 33% of a family's income.

Although this is not a director comparison In 2014, the average single worker in America paid 25% of his/her income in state and federal income and payroll tax,Bloomberg reports. Pew Research Center found that among developed countries, U.S. taxpayers' bills are below average.