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Every year, Canadians debate food prices. Grocery bills have become a national obsession, and for good reason. Food is one of the few expenses households face every single week. Consumers see the impact immediately when beef, tomatoes, or dairy products become more expensive.

CHARLEBOIS: Canadians worry about food prices when they should worry more about taxes Back to video

But this week offers an opportunity to put food affordability into perspective, as newly installed Governor General Louise Arbour would say.

According to the Fraser Institute, June 9 marks Tax Freedom Day in Canada. In theory, the average Canadian family has spent the first 160 days of the year earning enough income to pay all taxes imposed by federal, provincial, and municipal governments. Only now does the average household begin earning income entirely for itself.

The date is often controversial. Critics argue that it oversimplifies taxation and ignores the public services governments provide. That criticism is fair. Yet Tax Freedom Day remains useful because it reminds Canadians of a........

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