Canadians expect fairness, value for tax dollars

Re Anti-tax report as bogus as ever: Editorial, Aug. 28 Most Canadians don’t mind paying taxes considering the many benefits these provide. But they expect two things: fairness and value.

Over the last decade or so, since the recession and the hollowing out of our manufacturing industries, there is a growing inequity between those in the public and near-public sectors and those working elsewhere. Wages, benefits, vacations, job security and other entitlements continue to improve for teachers, police, firefighters, hydro workers and others. The average Canadian, whose pay packet has stagnated and even decreased in terms of buying power, must foot most of the bill and can only dream of such a job. This disparity is growing. So how is that seen as fair?

As for value, one sees daily reports of waste, ennui and inefficiency. Highly paid police officers directing construction sights, directing traffic or providing security at public events. Firefighters who now primarily report to healthrelated calls, rather than fire emergen- cies. An education system that uses the same teaching model as over a century ago, and that increasingly takes money from the classroom to administration costs. Nurses filling in forms rather than giving care. Power generation that refuses to seek more cost-effective creation and delivery. The list goes on.

The Fraser Institute, in its annual report, might receive better traction in focusing less on what Canadians pay in taxes, but how it is spent. Mike Brown, Burlington