So, I've done the math. Let's take someone with twice the avg canadian salary.
They're making $130k/year.
They pay about 29% tax. $38116/year.
Let's say they own property in a HCOL area. Maybe $3k/year property tax.
That leaves them with $88k left.
Assuming worst case scenario - they don't pay mortgage or rent or anything and spend every penny. So they're paying about $13332 in sales tax.
That leaves 75550 that they've spent before tax. Which is about 42% of their income going to tax paid, in total.
Again. That's worst case scenario. In reality, they're paying a mortgage and/or contributing to an RRSP or even paying rent. All of which would substantially reduce that percentage.

The idea that Canadians (on average) are paying 50% tax is just right wing propaganda bullshit designed to scare you in to cutting social programs in hope of getting a little trickle down action. Don't fall for it.

For me, I'm paying about 35% tax, in total. Including sales tax, income tax, and property tax. And I think I'm far closer to the "normal" percentage most middle class Canadians pay.