What I don't get is how anyone can claim that it is fair that that people who have kids who don't play hockey (or don't have kids at all) have to subsidize the parents of kids who do play hockey: why can't they use their money on their own kids for a sport that their kids play?
Because having children (poor or rich) being able to participate in sports benefits all of Canadian society, not just those who have children.
You want a world where only children in well to do families are able to participate in organized sports. The children of the working class would not be able to participate in these organized sports and activities with out government subsidies on them.
Not only do not want to make it impossible for poor families to send their children to school, but you want to eliminate the ability for them to participate in these activities.
I suggest you take a look at the inner cities of large American cities. Situations there are very similar to what you are suggesting, and look what happens to the children there. With out these organized activities they join gangs, get involved in crime, drugs (which would be legal if up to you).
Maybe it is not “fair” that some individuals are forced to pay taxes, of which a portion will go towards programs that they will not directly participate it. But these programs benefit all of society and create better circumstances in our nation which we all benefit from.
Similarly, why is it that people who work after high school have to subsidize the tuitions of the other people that go to college/university (and tend to get higher-paying jobs as a result)?
Because the more people in our nation that are college or university educated the higher the standard of living and quality of life in our nation will become and it will encourage individuals to achieve higher education which benefits all of society in too many ways to list.
Libertarianism is about being able to use your own resources to provide the best possible life for your family
Which is why it is immoral and goes against the foundation that western society has been built upon.
I am far from a socialist, but western society, the society we live in, that I benefit from and you benefit from was created from the fundamental principle of maintaining a standard of living and quality of life for our citizens. The welfare of the citizens of Canada is the responsibility of our government, that includes ensuring that they are able to provide the minimum standard for themselves and their family. If that requires that every citizen of Canada contributes portions of what they earn each year to help these people then so be it. If you don’t like that you are welcome to move.
But I for one will never support a government that would stand by and do nothing well millions of Canadian families lived in poverty and starvation.