MEI-Ipsos poll: Canadians consider themselves overtaxed by a federal government that spends too much and unwisely

• 73 per cent of Canadians realize that the capital gains tax hike will also affect the middle class

Montreal, July 25, 2024 – The majority of Canadians think Ottawa spends too much, and on the wrong priorities, reveals an MEI-Ipsos poll published this morning.

“Canadians have been watching federal government spending grow and grow for years, with no apparent affect on services,” says Renaud Brossard, Vice President of Communications at the MEI. “It’s time for the Trudeau government to put the breaks on spending and get its fiscal house in order, as the population is clearly demanding.”

Nearly two in three respondents (63 per cent) think federal government spending is either too high or much too high. This is eight percentage points higher than last year.

Moreover, seven in 10 Canadians are dissatisfied with the accountability and transparency of the Canadian government’s spending practices.

The poll results indicate that 77 per cent of Canadians think the taxes they pay are too high for the services they receive.

In terms of income taxes specifically, over seven in 10 respondents say their tax burden is too high—five percentage points higher than last year. Barely one per cent think they don’t pay enough.

Nearly three out of four Canadians say that the capital gains tax hike will affect not only the ultra-wealthy, but the middle class as well. A total of 60 per cent of respondents think it will have a negative impact on the Canadian economy.

“The population feels increasingly overtaxed, and the capital gains tax hike seems to be feeding into this perception,” adds Mr. Brossard. “Canadians’ eyes are open, and they recognize that this tax hike will not just be levied on the ultra-wealthy, but will also reduce middle class prosperity.”

A sample of 1,038 Canadians 18 years of age and older was polled between July 10 and 14, 2024. The results are accurate to within ± 3.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

The results of the MEI-Ipsos poll are available here.

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The MEI is an independent public policy think tank with offices in Montreal and Calgary. Through its publications, media appearances, and advisory services to policymakers, the MEI stimulates public policy debate and reforms based on sound economics and entrepreneurship.

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