Bring Your Tax Dollars Home: A Call for Fairness in Canadian Tax Spending

By Dale Jodoin In today's world, Canada is known for its fairness and generosity. We pride ourselves on welcoming people from all corners of the globe, whether they come here legally or are seeking refuge. But with all the good that we do, it's important to take a closer look at how we spend our tax dollars, especially when billions of those dollars are leaving the country each year. Could we be doing more with that money right here at home? This article explores the idea of keeping more of our tax dollars in Canada, making them work harder for everyone, including the newcomers who arrive on our shores. The Outflow of Canadian Tax Dollars Every year, Canada sends billions of dollars abroad in the form of foreign aid, international development projects, and contributions to global organizations. In 2023, Canada's official development assistance (ODA) alone amounted to approximately $6.6 billion. This money is intended to help developing countries with things like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It’s part of our commitment to being a responsible global citizen. But while we're sending all this money overseas, we're also seeing a growing number of people coming to Canada from many of these same countries. Some come seeking better opportunities, while others are fleeing conflict and persecution. According to the 2023 immigration statistics, over 400,000 people immigrated to Canada legally, and thousands more arrived as refugees or claimed asylum. These new Canadians contribute to our economy and enrich our communities, but they also need support—housing, healthcare, education, and jobs. The Case for Keeping More Money in Canada Given these numbers, one has to wonder: would it not be better if we kept more of our tax dollars here at home? Couldn’t we use that money to improve the services that Canadians rely on every day? Imagine if a portion of the billions we send abroad were invested in affordable housing, healthcare, and education right here in Canada. These investments would benefit all Canadians, including the newcomers who come here seeking a better life. For instance, consider the issue of affordable housing. According to the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC), over 1.6 million Canadian households are in "core housing need," meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing that may not even meet basic standards of adequacy or suitability. If we redirected just a fraction of our foreign aid budget to building affordable housing, we could significantly reduce this number and ensure that everyone, including new immigrants and refugees, has a safe and affordable place to live. Similarly, our healthcare system is under strain. With an aging population and increasing demands on services, many Canadians are facing longer wait times for surgeries and other medical procedures. In 2023, the average wait time for medically necessary treatment was over 22 weeks, according to the Fraser Institute. If more of our tax dollars were kept in Canada, we could invest in reducing these wait times, ensuring that everyone gets the care they need when they need it. Balancing Global Responsibility with National Needs Now, it's important to be clear: this isn't about turning our backs on the rest of the world. Canada has a long history of helping those in need, and that shouldn't change. But there is a balance to be struck between our global responsibilities and the needs of our own citizens. We need to ask ourselves if our current spending priorities are the best way to achieve that balance. Are we doing enough to ensure that our tax dollars are being used efficiently and effectively? Could we achieve the same humanitarian goals by focusing more on domestic projects that also benefit our global commitments? For example, instead of sending money abroad to build schools in other countries, why not focus on improving education here at home, and then offering scholarships or exchange programs to students from those countries? This way, we’re still contributing to global education while also strengthening our own educational institutions. Supporting Newcomers with Canadian Tax Dollars It's also worth considering how these changes could benefit the very people we aim to help with our foreign aid. Many immigrants and refugees come from countries that receive Canadian aid, but once they arrive here, they face the same challenges as other Canadians—finding affordable housing, accessing healthcare, and securing good jobs. By keeping more of our tax dollars in Canada, we could provide better support for these newcomers. We could ensure that they have access to the services they need to thrive in their new home. This, in turn, would help them contribute more fully to our economy and society. For instance, the government could use the money to expand programs that help newcomers integrate into Canadian society, such as language classes, job training, and settlement services. These programs are essential for helping immigrants and refugees become self-sufficient and successful members of our community. A Fair Deal for Canadians In conclusion, the idea of keeping more of our tax dollars at home isn't about being selfish or turning away from the world. It's about making sure that our tax dollars are used in the most effective and efficient way possible. It's about ensuring that all Canadians—whether they were born here or came here seeking a better life—have access to the services and opportunities they need to succeed. Canada will always be a country that cares about the world. But we also need to care about our own citizens and ensure that we're getting the best value for our tax dollars. By rethinking how we spend our money, we can build a stronger, fairer Canada for everyone.