Canada: Nearly Half Pay No Net Income Tax

A tech executive's weighted-vote idea drew backlash, yet it spotlighted a debate over whether shrinking direct tax contributors can sustainably support expanding public commitments.
In 2023 tax data, ~6M adult filers paid no combined income or payroll tax; after transfers, ~15M paid nothing on net or came out ahead.
Canada relied on personal income taxes for ~37% of tax revenue in 2023, above the ~24% avg. across peer countries that year.
Federal and provincial changes pushed more tax load upward; with combined top rates above ~53% in many provinces, mobile professionals may rethink effort and location.
The argument rejected weighted voting, but urged debate over whether every Canadian should contribute something in income tax if government commitments keep expanding.