Too many taxes, payments, and fees in Canada.

[Easy_Rider]

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I've been back in Canada for about a year after an extended stay overseas. I have to hand it to anyone here who can survive the onslaught of fees and expenses:

Income less EI, CPP, Worker's Comp, Fed Tax, Prov. Tax

less: Mortgage, Electric Bill, Gas Bill, car lease, phone bills, cable,
less: Municipal Tax, GST, PST
less: Parking Tickets, Fines, Speeding Fines
less: Plate Renewal, Toronto Vehicle Tax
less: Student Loans OSAP/CSL (if any)
less: car insurance, life insurance, home insurance

I can't figure out how the majority of Canadians can have much cash left over in their pockets. I don't! Factor in Christmas, Valentines, Anniversaries, Birthdays, and "Vacations", and I can't seem to figure out where the wealth is. Of course, there is the family home which can be sold tax free, but as many people are moving into condos these days, what am I missing here?

 

[luap]

Its called being extremely cheap on everything but your bike

 

[Gaoler]

Income less EI, CPP, Worker's Comp, Fed Tax, Prov. Tax

less: Mortgage, Electric Bill, Gas Bill, car lease, phone bills, cable,
less: Municipal Tax, GST, PST
less: Parking Tickets, Fines, Speeding Fines
less: Plate Renewal, Toronto Vehicle Tax
less: Student Loans OSAP/CSL (if any)
less: car insurance, life insurance, home insurance

Everything highlighted in red you have control over. 'Don't need a phone/cable. GST PST is dictated by how much you spend on stuff.
Parking tickets etc... 'nuff said.
Loans..? Don't borrow money. get a job first. then go to school. Noone owes you an education.

 

[Mikey-D]

Income less EI, CPP, Worker's Comp, Fed Tax, Prov. Tax

less: Mortgage, Electric Bill, Gas Bill, car lease, phone bills, cable,
less: Municipal Tax, GST, PST
less: Parking Tickets, Fines, Speeding Fines
less: Plate Renewal, Toronto Vehicle Tax
less: Student Loans OSAP/CSL (if any)
less: car insurance, life insurance, home insurance

You missed a few things...buy a cheaper house in a lower-valued area (don't live in TO) to lower mortgage and municipal tax. As for car insurance, lower than by having a cheaper car. better yet, if you live right in TO, don't get a car. Lots of people in the city get by just fine without one...

 

[AGAVE]

Everything highlighted in red you have control over. 'Don't need a phone/cable. GST PST is dictated by how much you spend on stuff.
Parking tickets etc... 'nuff said.
Loans..? Don't borrow money. get a job first. then go to school. Noone owes you an education.

I don't get you sometimes buddy, you pop up at the stupidest times with the most ignorant replies.
How do you know what job the guy has? I happen to know he is plenty qualified to make a good living. The point is, it's EXPENSIVE and many of those tax dollars may as well go in the fireplace the way the gov uses it.
You never received a parking ticket from an idiot meter maid in error? Never had your meter run out before you could get back in time??
He never said he had a loan of any kind?!!! Where did you get that from?
Then you tell him to get a job, are you kidding me?
Maybe he's an honor student from the La-de-Da university in England for all you know.

I'll say it again, you must have forgot, go shine your gun and badge, don't reply anymore unless it's humorous and entertaining please and thank you.

 

[Easy_Rider]

Thanks Agave.

In a capitalist economy, the consumer keeps the economy growing by spending. In a socialist style capitalist economy, the government spends for us. Sometimes even against our will. Sad part is: it is the citizen who suffers most. They are told to cut back, make sacrifices, work harder, and save more. Yet, in Canada, the harder one works, the more they are taxed. Taxed to the point where it becomes ridiculous.

 

[AGAVE]

Thanks Agave.

In a capitalist economy, the consumer keeps the economy growing by spending. In a socialist style capitalist economy, the government spends for us. Sometimes even against our will.

Solution is simple.
Work for yourself for cash only.
Change address to > Blue van #1 by the don valley river.
Don't give the gov any more money.

PS> Everything in Ontario is "against your will" lol

 

[eastcoast_gsx]

Noone owes you an education.

That statement is a shame... as a nation it should be much easier (financially) to get a good education for those that want to... and I am not talking about all doctors, I am talking about trades people... even down to the rig rough necks...

The debt load that a new student faces is crazy IMO.

 

[Moreno636]

I don't get you sometimes buddy, you pop up at the stupidest times with the most ignorant replies.
How do you know what job the guy has? I happen to know he is plenty qualified to make a good living. The point is, it's EXPENSIVE and many of those tax dollars may as well go in the fireplace the way the gov uses it.
You never received a parking ticket from an idiot meter maid in error? Never had your meter run out before you could get back in time??
He never said he had a loan of any kind?!!! Where did you get that from?
Then you tell him to get a job, are you kidding me?
Maybe he's an honor student from the La-de-Da university in England for all you know.

I'll say it again, you must have forgot, go shine your gun and badge, don't reply anymore unless it's humorous and entertaining please and thank you.

What are you on about? Gaoler's post was bang on. Easy Riders original post was that his income was getting chopped up by expenses...and he listed those expenses. One of which was "Student Loans"...so obviously if its something thats deducted from his income...he must have one. Also he never told him "to get a job"...he told him that if he didnt want to incure Student loans, then get a job first save up and then pay for your education. Lastly that idiotic meter maid would have given him the ticket in any country. Or are you saying that there are only idiotic meter maids in Canada?


As for the original post...Easy Rider, which country did you live in that had

Free Housing, Electricity, Gas, Cars/Phones and Cable
No taxes
No Parking tickets, Speeding tickets and other vehicular tickets
No Vehicle liscencing
Free Univeristy/College level education
and no need for any sort of Insurance.

Where is this magical Xanadu...and can we all move there?

 

[AGAVE]

What are you on about? Gaoler's post was bang on. Easy Riders original post was that his income was getting chopped up by expenses...and he listed those expenses. One of which was "Student Loans"...so obviously if its something thats deducted from his income...he must have one. Also he never told him "to get a job"...he told him that if he didnt want to incure Student loans, then get a job first save up and then pay for your education. Lastly that idiotic meter maid would have given him the ticket in any country. Or are you saying that there are only idiotic meter maids in Canada?


As for the original post...Easy Rider, which country did you live in that had

Free Housing, Electricity, Gas, Cars/Phones and Cable
No taxes
No Parking tickets, Speeding tickets and other vehicular tickets
No Vehicle liscencing
Free Univeristy/College level education
and no need for any sort of Insurance.

Where is this magical Xanadu...and can we all move there?

He never said those were HIS expenses, he's asking how the average Canadian makes it by.
His post is specific to Ontario, as that is where he lives, and it happens to be one of the most expensive places for all the items listed. So he's wondering why it costs so much to live here compared to somewhere else.
No one said everything should be free, but again, costs way more in Toronto.
As for the student loan, you didn't read carefully either. It clearly says (if any) beside it, doesn't mean he has one.
And yes, any meter maid can wrongly ticket you anywhere. Gaoler seems to think it must be Easy's fault if he gets a ticket. Unless i'm the only guy that reads it that way> Quote Gaoler ("Parking tickets etc... 'nuff said.)
Once again, Easy never said he didn't have a good job, or education.
He wonders the same things i do, how do so many people afford 500k homes, luxury cars etc... while other hard working people seem to struggle.
It's called huge debt and overextending your credit so far your grandkids will be paying for it.

And he's got a really nice Harley so i'm sure he's not starving.
I'm guessing he justs wants more money to spend on riding like the rest of us.

It's one thing to toss in some good advice, but it's unappropriate to pounce on a guy you don't even know and insert a fairly insulting reply without asking more details about the circumstances first if needed.

 

[SLaP]

Don't forget the Cat Tax!!!

 

[Easy_Rider]

- My income tax overseas was 3.5% to 5.5% (officially).
- Insurance for my brand new Hayabusa was $150 USD ...per year.
- Motorcycle parking was free, including sidewalk.
- Housing...paid for by company.
- Medical insurance... $600 USD per year.
- Heating Bill: ... $35 per month
- Marlboro Smokes: $2.50 a pack
- Local Whiskey: $2.00
- Restaurant Tips: $0, Restaurant tax (what Restaurant tax?!!!)
- My Driver's License (8 year validity).. and it's not graduated licensing.
- Speeding Tickets & Fines: in my four years there, not once. Did 275 km/h on clear highways, 80-140km/h on city streets, no problems. Hell, some of the city streets start at 80km/h. Cops there don't ticket bikes except on "official enforcement/awareness days" which is announced on the news. That involves helmets and not going over the yellow line. Motorcycle speeding is not an issue for the police. However, get busted for drunk driving, it's a $2000 USD to $5000 USD fine, plus suspension.

I met many ex-pats who utterly refused to return to Canada. Who can blame them? And the pay was great. They met pretty local girls, married, got residency rights, and refused to return. Others took the money they earned and obtained investor visas. One is running a foreign consultancy. Others opened up a restaurant/bar. Another one has a gig at a law firm. One has a gig at a television station.

Only one thing though... if there is truly an expression of play hard, work hard... sometimes I was working 7 days a week, 14 hours a day. I got ulcers, too. But the money was all MINE. Including the freedom that financial security brings.

Unfortunately, there were also suicides of ex-pats, too. Street fighting also quite common if you were into that kind of thing. Feelings of isolation, loneliness, and abandonment. Culture-shok, arguments with hard driving employers, discrimination...that was there, too.

There's a whole world out there if you are willing to explore and risk a little. Much like motorcycling.

As for the original post...Easy Rider, which country did you live in that had

Free Housing, Electricity, Gas, Cars/Phones and Cable
No taxes
No Parking tickets, Speeding tickets and other vehicular tickets
No Vehicle liscencing
Free Univeristy/College level education
and no need for any sort of Insurance.

Where is this magical Xanadu...and can we all move there?

 

[Angus Argyle]

- My income tax overseas was 3.5% to 5.5% (officially).
- Insurance for my brand new Hayabusa was $150 USD ...per year.
- Motorcycle parking was free, including sidewalk.
- Housing...paid for by company.
- Medical insurance... $600 USD per year.
- Heating Bill: ... $35 per month
- Marlboro Smokes: $2.50 a pack
- Local Whiskey: $2.00
- Restaurant Tips: $0, Restaurant tax (what Restaurant tax?!!!)
- My Driver's License (8 year validity).. and it's not graduated licensing.
- Speeding Tickets: in my four years there, not once. Did 275 km/h, no problems. In Ontario, and I kid you not, I drive like a granny.


I met many ex-pats who utterly refused to return to Canada. Who can blame them? And the pay was great. They met pretty local girls, married, got residency rights, and refused to return. Others took the money they earned and obtained investor visas. One is running a foreign consultancy. Others opened up a restaurant/bar. Another one has a gig at a law firm. One has a gig at a television station.

Only one thing though... if there is truly an expression of play hard, work hard... sometimes I was working 7 days a week, 14 hours a day. I got ulcers, too. But the money was all MINE. Including the freedom that financial security brings.

Unfortunately, there were also suicides of ex-pats, too. Street fighting also quite common if you were into that kind of thing. Feelings of isolation, loneliness, and abandonment. Culture-shok, arguments with hard driving employers, discrimination...that was there, too.

There's a whole world out there if you are willing to explore and risk a little. Much like motorcycling.

Shouldn't have left to come back here...

 

[Roasted]

Some good points here. Things like phone and cable are WAAAAy more expensive here than US or Europe. ANd insurance? We are practically being robbed.

An example of a robbery in progress:
YOu want an HD PVR in States? Go out to the store and buy any PVR you want, for about $200, get a card from your cable company, insert into PVR, DONE. Here? You HAVE TO get a PVR from Rogers or Bell. YOu want to buy one from them? $600! WTF?!?

 

[Angus Argyle]

Some good points here. Things like phone and cable are WAAAAy more expensive here than US or Europe. ANd insurance? We are practically being robbed.

An example of a robbery in progress:
YOu want an HD PVR in States? Go out to the store and buy any PVR you want, for about $200, get a card from your cable company, insert into PVR, DONE. Here? You HAVE TO get a PVR from Rogers or Bell. YOu want to buy one from them? $600! WTF?!?

Don't watch TV..... You can do it...

 

[Yorkee]

I've been back in Canada for about a year after an extended stay overseas. I have to hand it to anyone here who can survive the onslaught of fees and expenses:

Income less EI, CPP, Worker's Comp, Fed Tax, Prov. Tax

less: Mortgage, Electric Bill, Gas Bill, car lease, phone bills, cable,
less: Municipal Tax, GST, PST
less: Parking Tickets, Fines, Speeding Fines
less: Plate Renewal, Toronto Vehicle Tax
less: Student Loans OSAP/CSL (if any)
less: car insurance, life insurance, home insurance

I can't figure out how the majority of Canadians can have much cash left over in their pockets. I don't! Factor in Christmas, Valentines, Anniversaries, Birthdays, and "Vacations", and I can't seem to figure out where the wealth is. Of course, there is the family home which can be sold tax free, but as many people are moving into condos these days, what am I missing here?

Here is the ultimate guide to avoid the remaining expense (green stuff) on the list.

EI, CPP, Worker's Comp, Fed Tax, Prov. Tax - if you are part-time minimum wage, or if you don't work at all and live off UI or welfare, you don't have to pay. Don't worry, the rich guy (aka tax payer) will pay for your expense. If you have been working for the whole year, its tiem to ask your boss to lay u off so you can enjoy the wonder of UI. Imagine, sit home and get paid, what a wonderful world! Start right away!

The general rule of thumb: The more you work the more tax you pay! The less you work the less you pay. If you don't work you don't pay, you receive!

Plate Renewal, Toronto Vehicle Tax - Easy. Don't own a car. ride the rocket!

life insurance - don't buy life insurance. Why life insurance anyways? our government can take care of it if you die. And if you die, you don't care anyways.

For health insurance, there is OHIP! thank you for our government.

home insurance - Don't own a house. rent instead. Indeed, there is Affordable Housing Program. Thanks again, Mr. Government.

With all those things taken care of, who need leftover cash in their pocket?

If you want to have cash left over, its possible.... CASH WORK!!! better yet, cash work while you are on UI! double income! Imagine you don't have to pay income tax... How can't you have cash leftover?

If you want to get rich, start your own business! Indoor farming (growing Marijuana at home) is a very popular business for selfstarter. With the current heavy crackdown, this type of business is highly in demand!

 

[Duster929]

Easy Rider, you still haven't mentioned which country you're comparing Canada to. It's actually an important part of the argument. Yes, it's expensive to live in Canada, but we also enjoy a lot of benefits. There are places in the world where it is much cheaper to live, but many people who live there would trade a limb to be able to move to a place like Canada. I'd like to know which country you lived in that was so much cheaper than Canada, but also a better place to live. (And I acknowledge that you have already highlighted some of the "negatives").

As for whoever said that Canadians are 3 paycheques away from bankruptcy... that puts Canadians ahead of about 80% of the world's population. Please don't forget that the vast majority of the world live in conditions where concepts like a "paycheque" and "bankruptcy" have no practical meaning.

--- D

 

[Moreno636]

He never said those were HIS expenses, he's asking how the average Canadian makes it by.
His post is specific to Ontario, as that is where he lives, and it happens to be one of the most expensive places for all the items listed. So he's wondering why it costs so much to live here compared to somewhere else.
No one said everything should be free, but again, costs way more in Toronto.
As for the student loan, you didn't read carefully either. It clearly says (if any) beside it, doesn't mean he has one.
And yes, any meter maid can wrongly ticket you anywhere. Gaoler seems to think it must be Easy's fault if he gets a ticket. Unless i'm the only guy that reads it that way> Quote Gaoler ("Parking tickets etc... 'nuff said.)
Once again, Easy never said he didn't have a good job, or education.
He wonders the same things i do, how do so many people afford 500k homes, luxury cars etc... while other hard working people seem to struggle.
It's called huge debt and overextending your credit so far your grandkids will be paying for it.

And he's got a really nice Harley so i'm sure he's not starving.
I'm guessing he justs wants more money to spend on riding like the rest of us.

It's one thing to toss in some good advice, but it's unappropriate to pounce on a guy you don't even know and insert a fairly insulting reply without asking more details about the circumstances first if needed.

If it was a general statement then it should be noted that not EVERYONE in ontario face these same expenses. I for one have a Uni degree and no student loans and I dont have life insurance. Not everybody in Ontario has a mortgage, and not everyone owns a car to incur all the fees that go with one. The point here is that these expenses are incured through personal choice...not as a penalty set forth by the goverment.

In regards to parking tickets I think that point is pretty self explanitory...dont park where your not supposed to and you wont get a ticket. Just like any other infraction in the laws of this country. Is he saying that there should be no fines for parking illegaly or speeding exesively?

Again if people are incuring huge amounts of debt thats no the goverments fault, its a personal choice.

The point Goaler was making was that most of the "fees, payments, taxes" that Easy was complaining about are incured by personal choices and not forced on you by the goverment.

 

[Moreno636]

- My income tax overseas was 3.5% to 5.5% (officially).
- Insurance for my brand new Hayabusa was $150 USD ...per year.
- Motorcycle parking was free, including sidewalk.
- Housing...paid for by company.
- Medical insurance... $600 USD per year.
- Heating Bill: ... $35 per month
- Marlboro Smokes: $2.50 a pack
- Local Whiskey: $2.00
- Restaurant Tips: $0, Restaurant tax (what Restaurant tax?!!!)
- My Driver's License (8 year validity).. and it's not graduated licensing.
- Speeding Tickets & Fines: in my four years there, not once. Did 275 km/h on clear highways, 80-140km/h on city streets, no problems. Hell, some of the city streets start at 80km/h. Cops there don't ticket bikes except on "official enforcement/awareness days" which is announced on the news. That involves helmets and not going over the yellow line. Motorcycle speeding is not an issue for the police. However, get busted for drunk driving, it's a $2000 USD to $5000 USD fine, plus suspension.

I met many ex-pats who utterly refused to return to Canada. Who can blame them? And the pay was great. They met pretty local girls, married, got residency rights, and refused to return. Others took the money they earned and obtained investor visas. One is running a foreign consultancy. Others opened up a restaurant/bar. Another one has a gig at a law firm. One has a gig at a television station.

Only one thing though... if there is truly an expression of play hard, work hard... sometimes I was working 7 days a week, 14 hours a day. I got ulcers, too. But the money was all MINE. Including the freedom that financial security brings.

Unfortunately, there were also suicides of ex-pats, too. Street fighting also quite common if you were into that kind of thing. Feelings of isolation, loneliness, and abandonment. Culture-shok, arguments with hard driving employers, discrimination...that was there, too.

There's a whole world out there if you are willing to explore and risk a little. Much like motorcycling.

So your basic argument is not that these expenses dont exist in other countries but the amount of these expense in correlation to the same expenses in other countries. While that is a viable opinon, without knowing which country your comparing Canada with it kind of makes it an apples to oranges issue.

 

[kellen]

- My income tax overseas was 3.5% to 5.5% (officially).
- Insurance for my brand new Hayabusa was $150 USD ...per year.
- Motorcycle parking was free, including sidewalk.
- Housing...paid for by company.
- Medical insurance... $600 USD per year.
- Heating Bill: ... $35 per month
- Marlboro Smokes: $2.50 a pack
- Local Whiskey: $2.00
- Restaurant Tips: $0, Restaurant tax (what Restaurant tax?!!!)
- My Driver's License (8 year validity).. and it's not graduated licensing.
- Speeding Tickets & Fines: in my four years there, not once. Did 275 km/h on clear highways, 80-140km/h on city streets, no problems. Hell, some of the city streets start at 80km/h. Cops there don't ticket bikes except on "official enforcement/awareness days" which is announced on the news. That involves helmets and not going over the yellow line. Motorcycle speeding is not an issue for the police. However, get busted for drunk driving, it's a $2000 USD to $5000 USD fine, plus suspension.

I met many ex-pats who utterly refused to return to Canada. Who can blame them? And the pay was great. They met pretty local girls, married, got residency rights, and refused to return. Others took the money they earned and obtained investor visas. One is running a foreign consultancy. Others opened up a restaurant/bar. Another one has a gig at a law firm. One has a gig at a television station.

Only one thing though... if there is truly an expression of play hard, work hard... sometimes I was working 7 days a week, 14 hours a day. I got ulcers, too. But the money was all MINE. Including the freedom that financial security brings.

Unfortunately, there were also suicides of ex-pats, too. Street fighting also quite common if you were into that kind of thing. Feelings of isolation, loneliness, and abandonment. Culture-shok, arguments with hard driving employers, discrimination...that was there, too.

There's a whole world out there if you are willing to explore and risk a little. Much like motorcycling.

What country are we talking about here? Sounds great.

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