Study highlights value of public services
It’s the first time Statistics Canada has
measured the value of government spending to households, as part of its
household income and wealth data. This data, called social transfers in kind (STiK) will
form part of Statistics Canada’s overall picture of the economy. These
figures will help give us a better understanding of the economic and
social importance of public services for all Canadians.
measured the value of government spending to households, as part of its
household income and wealth data. This data, called social transfers in kind (STiK) will
form part of Statistics Canada’s overall picture of the economy. These
figures will help give us a better understanding of the economic and
social importance of public services for all Canadians.
Most of us get far more value from public
services than we pay in taxes, and high-quality public services make
life more affordable for everyone. Universal public services also help
to reduce inequality and make it easier to weather difficult
financial times.
Ten years ago, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives conducted similar research on the benefits of public spending, Canada’s Quiet Bargain. The CCPA
study used a slightly different methodology and included government
transfers to individuals. It found that “for the vast majority of
Canada’s population, public services are, to put it bluntly, the best
deal they are ever going to get.”