Kelowna

The average Canadian worker toils for more than five months to meet provincial and federal tax requirements.

They barely break a sweat to fill municipal coffers.

According to the website, 'Time For Cities," municipal Tax Freedom Day is January 14, 2008.

"This is when provincial and federal taxes kick in," according to a press release circulated by Kelowna Mayor, Sharon Shepherd in Council Chambers.

"The Fraser Institute says that Canadians have to wait another five months, until June 20, before they're done with taxes for the year and earn the first penny they can keep for themselves."

The website goes on to say that according to Statistics Canada, 12 cents of every tax dollar went to Canadian cities in 2004. In 2007, it was down to eight cents.

"Bringing attention to Tax Freedom Day each January bring attention to the dire situation that cities are in. Canadian towns and cities need money to fix crumbling bridges and to replace rusting water pipes."

According to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the municipal infrastructure deficit is $123 billion.

"Canadian towns and cities need to invest in public transit, build waste treatment plants and allocate new resources to climate change issues and sustainability."