Young Canadians will pay additional $19,880 in income taxes to pay for federal debt accumulation; those over 65 face extra $1,524 in taxes

CALGARY—The debt the federal government is expected to accumulate now, and in the future, will be disproportionately paid for by younger Canadians, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “Today’s deficits are tomorrow’s taxes so it’s important for Canadians, particularly younger Canadians, to understand how these deficits and rising debt levels will affect their lives in the future,” said Jake Fuss, senior economist at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Lifetime Tax Burden for Canadians from Federal Debt Accumulation.

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Canadian taxpayers are expected to bear an additional $332.5 billion in additional personal income taxes due to existing federal debt

Specifically, Canadians aged 16 to 35 will pay an additional $19,880 per person in personal income taxes over their lifetime due to current and future expected borrowing by the federal government. By comparison, Canadians aged 65 and older will only pay an additional $1,524 in income taxes. In total, Canadian taxpayers are expected to bear an additional $332.5 billion in additional personal income taxes due to existing federal debt and what’s expected to be borrowed in the future. Of that amount, Canadians aged 16 to 35 will collectively pay an additional $205.1 billion in personal income taxes—61.7 per cent of the total burden imposed on all age groups over their lifetimes. This means that, while the growth of federal debt should be a concern for all Canadians, it should be a special concern for younger Canadians. “When policymakers in Ottawa spend beyond their means, racking up more debt in the process, they’re handing the bill for current spending to future generations,” Fuss said. Media Contact: Jake Fuss, Senior Economist, Fraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact: Drue MacPherson, Fraser Institute drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org

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