In the mid-1970s, nearly 7 working-age people supported each retiree. Today that ratio is closer to 3. This means fewer taxpayers available to help fund age-related medical costs.

The C.D. Howe Institute estimates aging will add $2 trillion to medical costs by mid-century — and that provinces would have to hike taxes by 16-69% to sustain current commitments.

Our analysis shows younger people are already helping fill the revenue gap, contributing 20–40% more of their taxes to seniors’ care than today’s retirees did at the same age.