CEOs and other business leaders believe that about a third of Canada’s productivity deficit vis-à-vis the United States is attributable to Canada’s higher level of taxation, according to the most recent COMPAS/National Post web-survey sponsored by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and CIBC.

High taxes are seen as the root of a range of serious problems, ranging from the challenge for business of accumulating capital for growth to the challenge of families keeping their educated children from emigrating. Respondents are divided about across-the-board cuts in government spending and other potential solutions. Clear majorities favour greater deployment of user fees in and outside healthcare and more freedom for patients to purchase medical services outside the government system in order to lighten the financial burden on it.

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