Many people in Canada feel the country’s tax system is not fair. A new survey by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) shows that a lot of Canadians believe middle-class people pay too much in taxes, while the rich get away with not paying their fair share.
This survey helps us understand how people feel about how taxes are collected and who gets treated unfairly.
What the CRA Survey Found
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) paid $179,528 to a research company, Quorus Consulting Group, to ask 2,400 Canadians how they feel about taxes.
Here are some of the important results:
| Survey Topic | Percentage of Canadians Who Agree |
|---|---|
| Rich people cheat on taxes more easily | 60% |
| CRA targets middle class more than the rich | 45% |
| Canadians pay too much in taxes | 58% overall |
| People aged 35–49 who think they pay too much | 69% |
| Support publishing names of tax offenders | 34% |
Why People Feel the System is Unfair
Many Canadians feel that rich people can find ways to avoid paying taxes, while middle-class people are watched more closely.
The survey didn’t define who is “rich,” but most people still had strong opinions. Those with only high school education were more likely to believe that wealthy people cheat more on their taxes.
Public Trust in CRA’s Actions
The CRA says it wants to keep public confidence by making tax cheats known to the public. Right now, it only publishes a limited list of those who have been convicted of tax crimes. The CRA believes this helps stop others from cheating.
“It does this to maintain confidence in the integrity of the self-assessment system,” the CRA explained.
But only 34% of people in the survey said the CRA should post names of all guilty tax offenders.
Are People Paying Too Much Tax?
A big part of the survey focused on how Canadians feel about their tax rates. When asked if they think they pay too much tax for the services they get, the answer was mostly “yes.”
Here’s how different provinces responded:
| Region | % Who Feel They Pay Too Much Tax |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 63% |
| Atlantic Canada | 61% |
| Alberta | 58% |
| Québec | 57% |
| Saskatchewan & Manitoba | 54% |
| British Columbia | 47% (but 14% said they pay too little) |
Why Does This Matter?
The CRA is responsible for making sure everyone pays their fair share of taxes. But if people feel the system is unfair, they might lose trust in it. This survey shows the CRA still has a long way to go in making Canadians feel that everyone — rich or poor — is treated equally.
This CRA survey gives us a clear look at how Canadians feel about their tax system in 2025. Many believe the system is unfairly hard on the middle class, while the rich find ways to get around the rules. Most people also feel they pay too much in taxes, especially in provinces like Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
The CRA says it’s working to build public trust, but these survey results show that a lot more needs to be done to make things feel fair for everyone.
FAQs
Why do Canadians think the tax system is unfair?
Many believe rich people can cheat more easily, and that middle-class taxpayers are targeted more often by the CRA.
What is the CRA doing about tax evasion?
The CRA publishes a small list of tax offenders, hoping that this will make others follow the rules.
Which province feels the most overtaxed?
According to the survey, Ontario had the highest percentage of people who think they pay too much tax — at 63%.