Health Care Isn’t Free. You fund it!

In Canada, health care is mostly paid for by taxes. Every Albertan chips in and that money funds hospitals, surgeries, doctors, ambulances, and more. 

Here’s how you help fund it:

‍Income Taxes: You pay taxes to both the federal and provincial governments, and some of that money goes to health care. People with higher incomes pay more in taxes, helping fund the system.

Payroll Taxes (Canada Health Transfer): Money taken from your paycheck for things like retirement and unemployment also helps fund health care. Employers also pay part of this (and you may be an employer!)

Property Taxes: In some places, part of the property tax helps pay for local health care services like hospitals and clinics.

Substance Taxes: Taxes on things like tobacco and alcohol help pay for health programs to reduce smoking and drinking.

Estate or Inheritance Taxes: While Canada doesn’t have an inheritance tax, taxes on assets like property can help fund health care.

Sometimes, the government hires private or not-for-profit providers to deliver certain services. That’s fine if it improves access and value. 

The system is complex and most people don’t know where their tax dollars actually go. There is always risk of waste or inefficiency and when government contracts publicly paid services out to be provided by private providers, the public should pay attention and should be asking:

  1. What’s the price tag? Are we getting value for money, or overpaying for services?
  2. How’s it performing? Are patients satisfied? Are wait times shorter?
  3. Are private providers drawing staff or funding from the public system?

Contracting out occurs right across the system, including: addiction and mental health; continuing care; emergency medical services; midwifery services; allied health professions like physiotherapy; chartered surgical facilities and more. Albertans work hard and pay a lot into the system. If a service is tax-funded, it deserves public scrutiny. You have a right to know how that money is spent. 

A transparent, accountable health system builds trust and makes sure care stays high-quality, fair, and available to all.

Help Build a better health care system.