Friends,

    Canada has the universal healthcare system and no one has to pay anything to get many treatments most of time, unlike inthe US where one has to call their insurance companies every time they have to go under any medical procedure.   
     However, as we all know, nothing comes for free so can people living in Canada share their experiences on this topic? Is Canada able to afford such generous healthcare system because they take too much in taxes? How much do they take anyway? People pay heck of a lot of taxes in the US too, but each of their hospital visit is a scary experience. Is Canada really a better country to live in terms of Healthcare?

Thanks.

Here's what I know:

Taxes are very high in Canada.  People in high income bracket (>$100K) pay 50% income tax.  Even if you make around $60K, your taxes will be higher than that of your compatriots in the US.

Universal healthcare is available in Canada.

But, you have to wait your turn for almost any procedures.  Need an MRI?  It's free, but you will get your turn only in few months.  Need a hip replacement?  Sure, government will take of that.  But you will have to wait almost a year.

Plus, you need to be registered with a doctor (general practitioner) for any referrals.  Sometimes it is tough to get a doctor to take you in as his/her patient.  Not enough doctors to go around, I guess.

IMHO: If you can afford a decent medical insurance, health care in the US is the best.  If you cannot, Canada is better.

Side note:  I read somewhere that Singapore has the best combination of affordable and quality health care.  They rank #6 in the world.  Both US and Canada lag somewhere in the 20's.

Thanks Riten.

Can anyone living in Canada confirm that they have to wait for months to get medical services? If that's so then it must to tough for people living in Canada? Also, I'm interested to get some insights on their tax system. I know that in US, an average person who makes like $50,000 a year, filing tax as single w/o any dependents gets taxed about $15,000 including Fed, State, Medicare and SS. What's it like in Canada?
Appreciate any info.

You have to pay both federal and provincial taxes.

Federal tax rates for 2009 are:

• 15% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, +
• 22% on the next $38,832 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $38,832 and $77,664), +
• 26% on the next $48,600 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $77,664 and $126,264), +
• 29% of taxable income over $126,264.

Provincial tax rates

Newfoundland and Labrador	7.7% on the first $31,061 of taxable income, + 12.8% on the next $31,060, + 15.5% on the amount over $62,121
Prince Edward Island	9.8% on the first $31,984 of taxable income, + 13.8% on the next $31,985, + 16.7% on the amount over $63,969
Nova Scotia	8.79% on the first $29,590 of taxable income, + 14.95% on the next $29,590, + 16.67% on the next $33,820 + 17.5% on the amount over $93,000
New Brunswick	10.12% on the first $35,707 of taxable income, + 15.48% on the next $35,708, + 16.8% on the next $44,690, + 17.95% on the amount over $116,105
Quebec	Contact Revenu Québec
Ontario	6.05% on the first $36,848 of taxable income, + 9.15% on the next $36,850, + 11.16% on the amount over $73,698
Manitoba	10.8% on the first $31,000 of taxable income, + 12.75% on the next $36,000, + 17.4% on the amount over $67,000
Saskatchewan	11% on the first $40,113 of taxable income, + 13% on the next $74,497, + 15% on the amount over $114,610
Alberta	10% of taxable income
British Columbia	5.06% on the first $35,716 of taxable income, + 7.7% on the next $35,717, + 10.5% on the next $10,581, + 12.29% on the next $17,574, + 14.7% on the amount over $99,588
Yukon	7.04% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 9.68% on the next $38,832, + 11.44% on the next $48,600, + 12.76% on the amount over $126,264
Northwest Territories	5.9% on the first $36,885 of taxable income, + 8.6% on the next $36,887, + 12.2% on the next $46,164, + 14.05% on the amount over $119,936
Nunavut	4% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 7% on the next $38,832, + 9% on the next $48,600, + 11.5% on the amount over $126,264

So, if you earn 50,000 in Alberta, you pay
 15% on the first $38,832 = A   plus
 22% on the (50000-$38,832) = B  plus
10% of taxable income = C
total = A+B+C = 5824.8+2456.96+5000=13281.76 this is what you pay.

If you are in Ontario, then you pay
15% on the first $38,832 = A   plus

 22% on the (50000-$38,832) = B  plus
6.05% on the first $36,848  =  C
9.15% on the (50000-36,850) = D
Total = A+B+C+D = 5824.8+2456.96+2229.43+1203.23 = 11714.42

In New Brunswick , it will be 5824.8+2456.96+3613.55+2212.40 = 14107.79

 

Interesting.  Let's not forget the whopping 15% sales tax on everything.