Average Canadian family spends more on taxes than necessities of life: survey

VANCOUVER (CP) - Taxes are taking a bigger chunk out of the average Canadian family income than food, clothing and housing combined, a new survey suggests. The Fraser Institute says the Canadian Consumer Tax Index is up significantly in the past 45 years.

The average Canadian family earned $63,000 in 2006, with nearly 45 per cent of that going to taxes.

Just over 35 per cent was spent on food, clothing and housing.

In 1961, the institute says just 33.5 per cent of income went to taxes.

The tax index includes direct taxation, such as income taxes, sales taxes, Employment Insurance and Canadian Pension Plan contributions, as well as hidden taxes, such as import duties, gas taxes and excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol.

© The Canadian Press, 2007