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I have not been able to find a very specific source of comparison for tax rates for a middle-class family.
The reason I ask is because, I have started to apply for Canadian jobs (I am a dual citizen). Because the U.S. and Canadian dollars are now at parity, Canadian salaries look really high to me - a 30% jump perhaps compared to what I make here. So I compare them to housing costs to try to know what to expect.
But, in the U.S. while we don't have national health insurance, I get health care benefits through my job, probably equal to 20% of my salary. In Canada I know I would get national health insurance (attractive if I want to start my own business), but I also know I would pay more income tax for it.
What might be the real income tax rate (including deductions) be for a family of three earning, say, $80,000? $100,000? Do income taxes vary by province - I am looking in BC?
Finally, I see local govt. jobs I look at having a 35 hour work week. Is this common across the board, or is it b/c its government? Is Canada moving to a 35 hour work week (or already there?)
In Ontario, government jobs are mostly 35 hours, too.
I am surprised to know BC jobs pay 30% than where are you. It is usually the contrary. May I ask where you are located now?
In Ontario, government jobs are mostly 35 hours, too.
I am surprised to know BC jobs pay 30% than where are you. It is usually the contrary. May I ask where you are located now?
I am in Colorado, USA, which is probably in the mid-range of cost of livign and salaries - lower than CA or the U.S. northeast, but more expensive than many interior states. In the "old days" before the Canadian and US dollars were at parity, the exchange rate would've meant my salary would be about the same either in BC or Colorado (probably a bit higher in Vancouver with the cost of living) as the Canadian dollar was 25% or so lower than the U.S. dollar. Now that the two countries' dollars are at parity, Canadian salaries look quite good in numeric terms, but I know I will also be paying Canadian prices.
So it's really just the govt. jobs that are at 35 hours? Is this the start of a trend or legislation for a more Western-European style of shorter work weeks and more time for life? I know sometimes government leads on these things. It seems if a gap in hours work persists between government workers and the private sector, this might cause resentment? Or do government workers get paid less?
I tend to be a hard worker but also think we need to have a work-life balance and perhaps in the years ahead devote more time to family, gardening/growing our own food, engaging in our community, personal or spiritual pursuits, and taking care of our health. Especially as we realize consumption of goods has limits on a world with over 6 billion people, the idea of earn-to-consume ought to slow down a bit as we find other ways to enjoy life. I suppose these ideas make me dangerous! : )
So it's really just the govt. jobs that are at 35 hours? Is this the start of a trend or legislation for a more Western-European style of shorter work weeks and more time for life?
I can't speak for other provinces, just BC, but I think 35 hour work weeks are pretty common in a lot of private sector businesses too, not just for government employees, and have been for a long time. I worked as both a government and private sector employee 40 years ago and it was a 35 hour work week back then so it's not a new trend. Take into consideration that at some places this is 35 PAID hours out of 40 hours at work, it's not counting the two daily 15 minute coffee breaks and a 1/2 hour lunch break per day, which you don't get paid for that. You work a 9 - 5 job and get paid for the 7 hours of actual work.
I've worked for colleges on a 37.5 hour paid work week where you got paid for the two 15 minute coffee breaks but not paid for the lunch break which might be an hour long break. And have worked at places that were 9 - 6 jobs (9 hours) where you worked for 8 paid hours and the coffee breaks and 1/2 hour lunch breaks are not paid for. So it all depends on who you're working for, and in some cases whether or not it's a union job.
Some government jobs you have a choice of getting what are called flex days. That is you get every 2nd Monday off as an unpaid day off, giving you (approximately) two 3 day weekends a month. Some people elect to take the unpaid flex days every 2 weeks and some people prefer to accumulate their unpaid flex days to combine with annual paid vacation time, some people choose not to take or accumulate flex days at all.
Thanks Zoisite. I didn't expect to get paid for the breaks - in the U.S. it's pretty much 40 hours all around to be called full-time - rest breaks but not lunch are counted in that, so its an 8-5 day.
It's particularly important in the U.S. b/c if you're not full time at a job with benefits (and not all jobs have benefits) then you will have to pay part of your health insurance costs. So if I worked 35 hours, not only would I be paid for 35 out of 40, but I'd have to cover 25% of my health insurance premiums (i.e. I'd be considered "75% time") which can get expensive if you have family benefits.
I am surprised that 35 hours was standard 40 years ago in Canada, but them again my mom says she used to work 9-5 in Montreal 40 years ago. For those in the U.S. the thought of going to less than a 40 hour work week is utopian or socialistic depending on your point of view, but nothing we think will happen anytime soon.
Thanks Zoisite. I didn't expect to get paid for the breaks - in the U.S. it's pretty much 40 hours all around to be called full-time - rest breaks but not lunch are counted in that, so its an 8-5 day.
It's particularly important in the U.S. b/c if you're not full time at a job with benefits (and not all jobs have benefits) then you will have to pay part of your health insurance costs. So if I worked 35 hours, not only would I be paid for 35 out of 40, but I'd have to cover 25% of my health insurance premiums (i.e. I'd be considered "75% time") which can get expensive if you have family benefits.
I am surprised that 35 hours was standard 40 years ago in Canada, but them again my mom says she used to work 9-5 in Montreal 40 years ago. For those in the U.S. the thought of going to less than a 40 hour work week is utopian or socialistic depending on your point of view, but nothing we think will happen anytime soon.
Don't generalize. US is a big country. There is not as much difference between Canada and the US in this regard as you think. Canada is not Europe and I don't think Canada is moving in that direction.
My spouse works 37.5 hours a week and is paid for 40 hours (paid lunch). The job includes excellent health insurance for the whole family including dental and vision. It's in NYC and it's not a government job.
Don't generalize. US is a big country. There is not as much difference between Canada and the US in this regard as you think. Canada is not Europe and I don't think Canada is moving in that direction.
My spouse works 37.5 hours a week and is paid for 40 hours (paid lunch). The job includes excellent health insurance for the whole family including dental and vision. It's in NYC and it's not a government job.
Agreed! I work a 37.5 hr week also (even though our schedule is very flexible and involves alot of travel); 100% paid Health Insurance for myself and spouse (yes zero premiums); 24 days paid vacation.
My wife is also on a 37.5 work week, most of her health Insurance would be paid if she opted to not be under mine, 23 days paid vacation. More generous than what we recieved in Toronto.
And it isnt some random company I work for either, its the largest employer in New England, headquartered in Boston.
New England, NYC ... you socialists might as well be Canada, right!
Thanks for a different regional persepctive. It's good to know some things can change. A good reminder.
In the west (including West Coast U.S.) I have seen university jobs with 23-24 days of vacation, but never a public or private sector job with less than 40 hour workweek. Utah's big experiment in the "4 day work week" for state employees meant working 10 hours a day for 4 days; likewise I know people where I work, in a "liberal" city who do 4 10-hour days. Come to think of it I recently saw a job in my field in Massachussetts with a 37.5 hour workweek.
That said, IMO there is one big difference, and that's our sad Family and Medical Leave Act (12 weeks unpaid leave) compared to Canada's 1 year of paid parental leave (I believe you can collect the equivalent of unemployment during that time, and come back to a similar job? I don't know the details). Now if your companies offer that I will be doubly impressed.
IMO there is one big difference, and that's our sad Family and Medical Leave Act (12 weeks unpaid leave) compared to Canada's 1 year of paid parental leave (I believe you can collect the equivalent of unemployment during that time, and come back to a similar job? I don't know the details). Now if your companies offer that I will be doubly impressed.
While you can, theoretically, take 1 year parental leave in Canada, how do you want to support your family for that long? As I understand, the most financial support you can get is no more than 50% of your salary?
I mean, of course it's great that Canada offers 1 year parental leave. But is it possible for a family to survive financially and still have a decent life one year long on only 50% of the salary?
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