News Analysis
With a growing number of Canadians looking to emigrate, some have questioned whether Canada has an “exit tax” for those looking to move out of the country.
Canada has long had an issue with “brain drain,” particularly with citizens moving to the United States, and recent data shows a record 120,000 Canadians moved out of the country in 2025. The flow of emigrants prompted former Google CFO Patrick Pichette, who was born in Montreal, to suggest a $500,000 exit tax at the Liberal convention in April, stirring controversy among political commentators.
Now, Gad Saad, a well-known author and professor at Concordia University, has sparked debate about whether Canadians are already subject to a substantial exit tax. He said he plans to leave for the United States due to his opposition to federal immigration and tax policy but he faces steep costs in a form of “departure tax.”…