Here's what I know: Taxes are very high in Canada.  People in high income bracket (>$100K) pay 50% income tax.  Even if you make around $60K, your taxes will be higher than that of your compatriots in the US. Universal healthcare is available in Canada. But, you have to wait your turn for almost any procedures.  Need an MRI?  It's free, but you will get your turn only in few months.  Need a hip replacement?  Sure, government will take of that.  But you will have to wait almost a year. Plus, you need to be registered with a doctor (general practitioner) for any referrals.  Sometimes it is tough to get a doctor to take you in as his/her patient.  Not enough doctors to go around, I guess. IMHO: If you can afford a decent medical insurance, health care in the US is the best.  If you cannot, Canada is better. Side note:  I read somewhere that Singapore has the best combination of affordable and quality health care.  They rank #6 in the world.  Both US and Canada lag somewhere in the 20's.

Riten · Mar 2, 2009 12:27 PM

Thanks Riten. Can anyone living in Canada confirm that they have to wait for months to get medical services? If that's so then it must to tough for people living in Canada? Also, I'm interested to get some insights on their tax system. I know that in US, an average person who makes like $50,000 a year, filing tax as single w/o any dependents gets taxed about $15,000 including Fed, State, Medicare and SS. What's it like in Canada? Appreciate any info.

feb14th1981 · Mar 3, 2009 9:44 AM

You have to pay both federal and provincial taxes. Federal tax rates for 2009 are: 15% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 22% on the next $38,832 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $38,832 and $77,664), + 26% on the next $48,600 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $77,664 and $126,264), + 29% of taxable income over $126,264. Provincial tax rates Newfoundland and Labrador 7.7% on the first $31,061 of taxable income, + 12.8% on the next $31,060, + 15.5% on the amount over $62,121 Prince Edward Island 9.8% on the first $31,984 of taxable income, + 13.8% on the next $31,985, + 16.7% on the amount over $63,969 Nova Scotia 8.79% on the first $29,590 of taxable income, + 14.95% on the next $29,590, + 16.67% on the next $33,820 + 17.5% on the amount over $93,000 New Brunswick 10.12% on the first $35,707 of taxable income, + 15.48% on the next $35,708, + 16.8% on the next $44,690, + 17.95% on the amount over $116,105 Quebec Contact Revenu Québec Ontario 6.05% on the first $36,848 of taxable income, + 9.15% on the next $36,850, + 11.16% on the amount over $73,698 Manitoba 10.8% on the first $31,000 of taxable income, + 12.75% on the next $36,000, + 17.4% on the amount over $67,000 Saskatchewan 11% on the first $40,113 of taxable income, + 13% on the next $74,497, + 15% on the amount over $114,610 Alberta 10% of taxable income British Columbia 5.06% on the first $35,716 of taxable income, + 7.7% on the next $35,717, + 10.5% on the next $10,581, + 12.29% on the next $17,574, + 14.7% on the amount over $99,588 Yukon 7.04% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 9.68% on the next $38,832, + 11.44% on the next $48,600, + 12.76% on the amount over $126,264 Northwest Territories 5.9% on the first $36,885 of taxable income, + 8.6% on the next $36,887, + 12.2% on the next $46,164, + 14.05% on the amount over $119,936 Nunavut 4% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 7% on the next $38,832, + 9% on the next $48,600, + 11.5% on the amount over $126,264

copycat · Mar 3, 2009 5:19 PM

So, if you earn 50,000 in Alberta, you pay  15% on the first $38,832 = A   plus  22% on the (50000-$38,832) = B  plus 10% of taxable income = C total = A+B+C = 5824.8+2456.96+5000=13281.76 this is what you pay. If you are in Ontario, then you pay 15% on the first $38,832 = A   plus  22% on the (50000-$38,832) = B  plus 6.05% on the first $36,848  =  C 9.15% on the (50000-36,850) = D Total = A+B+C+D = 5824.8+2456.96+2229.43+1203.23 = 11714.42 In New Brunswick , it will be 5824.8+2456.96+3613.55+2212.40 = 14107.79  

copycat · Mar 3, 2009 5:37 PM

Interesting.  Let's not forget the whopping 15% sales tax on everything.

Riten · Mar 4, 2009 8:39 AM