Can you spot tax dollars at work?

If you watched the video "Why do we pay taxes?", you know that tax dollars are used to fund public services. But do you know which ones? Play this game to find out! 

 

*Financing is a synonym for paying. When we finance a project, it means that we support it financially, either by paying for it in full or in part. 
 

 

Rules 

 

1. Identify the taxpayer-funded services that are hidden in the 3 illustrations below. 
    

2. Discuss your answers with your parent or write them down. 
    

3. Check the answer key. 

 

 

Clue: Services funded by tax revenue are often free for the public.  
 

 

1. IN THE STREET
 

 

 

2. ON VACATION

 

 

 

3. IN THE CITY 

 

 

 

 

Find your answers here 

 

The following services are funded by taxpayers:  
 

1. IN THE STREET 

 

 

1. Statue 
   
   Public art: Have you ever admired a work of art in a public place? There's a good chance the artist received a government grant funded by tax dollars! 

2. Garbage truck 
   
   Waste management: Do your parents pay the garbage truck driver who comes by every week? Don't think so! This service, which helps keep society up and running, is funded by taxes. 

3. Construction 
   
   Road maintenance: Taxpayers foot the bill for roadwork and repairs.  

4. City bus 
   
   Public transportation: Governments fund public transportation like buses, trains and subways. Of course, users do have to buy tickets! But taxes help pay for maintenance and other things. Plus, certain networks offer free days. 

 

2. ON VACATION 
 

 

1. National park poster 
   
   National and provincial parks: Taxpayers fund the maintenance and creation of provincial and national parks. These are protected areas where you're not allowed to hunt or disturb the vegetation. Visitors generally have to pay an entrance fee, but they can hike, camp, swim and see wildlife up close!  

2. Fish museum 
   
   Free monthly museum access: Did you know that almost anywhere in the world, you can visit museums for free on the first Sunday of every month? This is generally possible thanks to tax dollars. 

3. Lake 
   
   Water quality monitoring: Feel like taking a dip in the lake? If you know that the water is clean and safe, you can thank the teams that analyze the water. And you guessed it, you don't owe them any money!  

4. Wetland and frogs with a "Protected area" sign 
   
   Protection of environmentally sensitive areas: Some natural habitats need protection and restoration. The teams protecting these areas are funded by tax revenues. 

 

3. IN THE CITY  

 

 

1. School 
   
   Education: If public schools didn't get money from the government, they'd cost parents a lot of money! Elementary school would cost $6,000 a year for every student. And it would cost even more for high school students.  

2. Hospital 
   
   Healthcare: Canadians have the right to free healthcare. If you had to pay for surgery, it would cost several thousands of dollars. 

3. Movie theatre 
   
   Canadian cultural projects: Taxpayers also help fund Canadian cultural initiatives. Tax dollars probably bankrolled your favourite Canadian TV show! 

 

Now you know the basics of taxes! How did you do? Did you learn anything? 

 

Developed in collaboration with Les as de l’info