Social media can be a powerful tool for information—but also for misinformation. This week, several viral claims have made the rounds that deserve a closer look. Let’s break down a few of the more persistent ones with facts and context.
“No one in Canada voted for Carney.”
This is technically true—but also misleading.
In Canada’s parliamentary system, voters don’t elect a Prime Minister directly. Instead, we vote for local Members of Parliament (MPs). The political party that wins the most seats in Parliament selects its leader to serve as Prime Minister.
This process has been the norm throughout Canadian history, and transitions of leadership without a direct election have happened many times before. It’s part of how our system works—not a violation of it.
“Prorogation is unconstitutional and a dirty trick.”
False. Prorogation is a legitimate parliamentary procedure that suspends Parliament without dissolving it.
Many Prime Ministers have used it over the years, including:
Sir John A. Macdonald
Jean Chrétien
Stephen Harper (twice)
Justin Trudeau (twice)
While some uses of prorogation have been controversial, it is not unconstitutional. It’s a tool, and like any tool, its impact depends on how it’s used.
“Canada pays a higher income tax rate than the U.S.”
This claim is often repeated, but it oversimplifies a complex picture.
Canada’s federal income tax system is progressive, just like in the U.S.—and that often confuses people. For example, if someone earns $250,000, they don’t pay 33% on the entire amount. Here’s how it actually breaks down:
Canada’s 2025 Federal Tax Brackets:
15% only on the first $55,867
20.5% only on on income between $55,867–$111,733
26% only on on $111,733–$173,205
29% only on on $173,205–$246,752
33% only on on income over $246,752
U.S. Federal Tax Brackets for 2025:
10% only on on the first $11,925
12% only on on $11,925–$48,475
22% only on on $48,475–$103,350
24% only on on $103,350–$197,300
32% only on on $197,300–$250,525
35% only on on $250,525–$626,350
37% only on on income over $626,350
So how do average workers fare?
According to OECD (The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) data:
Canada: The average single worker has a net tax rate of 25.6%, leaving 74.4% of their income after taxes.
United States: The average single worker has a net tax rate of 24.2%, leaving 75.8% of their income.
That’s a modest 1.4% advantage for American workers. But there’s more to the story.
Healthcare: The Hidden Cost
In the U.S., the average single worker spends 11.6% of their income on healthcare, including premiums and out-of-pocket costs. In Canada, most healthcare costs are covered by the public system—so while taxes are slightly higher, citizens aren’t hit with massive bills just to access basic medical care.
The results? A striking contrast in medical-related bankruptcies:
United States: 66.5% of personal bankruptcies involve medical debt
Canada: 19%
Australia: 10%
United Kingdom: 8.2%
Note that even countries with free healthcare can have bankruptcies, however they are almost exclusively due to inability to work, not as a direct result of going into debt from medical bills.
So while some costs may appear “cheaper” in the U.S., that’s often due to their population being ten times larger, which brings down per-unit costs—what economists call the “economy of scale.” But cheaper goods don’t always mean a better or fairer system overall.
In addition, the average Minimum wages differ greatly between the countries.
Canada:
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The federal minimum wage in Canada is $17.30 CAD per hour as of April 1, 2024.
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However, minimum wages vary by province and territory. For example:
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Ontario: $17.20 CAD per hour (effective October 1, 2024)
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British Columbia: $17.40 CAD per hour (effective June 1, 2025)
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Nunavut: $19.00 CAD per hour (highest in Canada)
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Alberta and Saskatchewan: $15.00 CAD per hour (lowest in Canada)
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USA:
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The federal minimum wage in the USA is $7.25 USD per hour, but many states have set higher rates.
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Some states with higher minimum wages include:
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California: $16.00 USD per hour
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Washington: $16.28 USD per hour
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New York: $15.00 USD per hour (varies by region)
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Exchange Rate Adjustment:
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Using the current exchange rate of 1 CAD = 0.71 USD:
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Canada’s federal minimum wage: $17.30 CAD = $12.28 USD
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USA’s federal minimum wage: $7.25 USD = $10.21 CAD
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The Bottom Line
Sound bites and viral posts often fail to capture the nuance of policy, history, and economics. In an age of instant information, taking the time to dig a little deeper can make all the difference.
So the next time you scroll past a bold claim on your feed, pause and ask: is this really the whole story?