Where do my taxes go in Canada? (2024–25)

🇨🇦 Canada · 2024–25

In 2024–25, the federal government spent about C$547.3 billion. The single biggest line was Government operating expenses: C$130.5 billion, or about $238 of every $1,000 it spent.

See your personal tax receipt →

The biggest spending lines

Government operating expensesC$130.5 billion · $238 per $1,000
Paperwork remains the undefeated national sport.
Other transfer paymentsC$107.1 billion · $196 per $1,000
Your wallet is very generous. Did anyone ask it first?
Elderly benefitsC$80.3 billion · $147 per $1,000
Those retirement benefits are getting a better workout than your gym membership.
Health and social transfersC$69 billion · $126 per $1,000
Your money went to healthcare transfers. Your back would like an appointment.
Interest on public debtC$53.4 billion · $98 per $1,000
Even the federal government has an interest problem.
Fiscal arrangements and other transfersC$36.1 billion · $66 per $1,000
Your tax dollars have moved between governments more than you moved apartments.
Children’s benefitsC$28.6 billion · $52 per $1,000
Your taxes are helping with kids. Even if your houseplants are your only dependants.
Employment insurance and supportC$24.9 billion · $45 per $1,000
Your wallet is helping people between paycheques. It knows the feeling.

These 8 lines add up to 97% of total spending. The rest is spread across smaller programs.

Source: Canada Annual Financial Report 2024–25 ↗

And the weird stuff

Big budget lines are dull. These real Canadian examples are not.

⚡ Muskrat Falls dam in LabradorC$12.7 billion latest completion estimate · 2020
🔥 Phoenix, the federal payroll systemC$2.2 billion projected extra cost to 2023 · 2018
🏟️ Montreal’s 1976 Olympic StadiumC$1.5 billion Olympic facilities debt · 2006
🏭 Cancelling two power plants in OntarioC$1.1 billion estimated cost of cancelling · 2013
🚗 Quebec’s online licence and auto insurance portalC$1.1 billion likely total cost · 2025

See all 20 examples of government waste in Canada →

Quick answers

Where do most Canadian taxes go?

The biggest single line in 2024–25 was Government operating expenses, at about 24% of federal government spending.

How much of Canada’s spending goes to interest on debt?

About C$53.4 billion in 2024–25, or roughly $98 of every $1,000 spent.

Does my tax pay for one specific thing?

No. Taxes go into a general pool. These figures show how total spending is divided, so they work as an illustration of your share, not a literal receipt.

Other countries

🇺🇸 Where do taxes go in the US?🇬🇧 Where do taxes go in the UK?🇦🇺 Where do taxes go in Australia?🇳🇿 Where do taxes go in New Zealand?