mandi: you don't think it's good that people voluntarily donate to other Canadian's problems? Why, mandi? It seems a pretty good scheme to me.

And you've apparently forgotten that 'the government' doesn't create 'the needed funds' for anything.  They come out of my taxes. maybe yours. And if you don't like what the government is spending those $$ on, then vote against them next time.  That's the way the system is supposed to work.