Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us: The Urgent Case for a Wealth Tax

by Linda McQuaig, Neil Brooks

A jarring portrait of a deeply unequal Canada and how a wealth tax could rein in the destructive power wielded by today’s billionaires.

As the ultra-wealthy siphon off an ever-larger share of the world’s wealth, they now dominate us to a degree unimaginable even a decade ago. With their voracious consumption, unbridled resource exploitation, and relentless obstruction of climate action, they are rapidly undermining democracy and destroying the very viability of the earth for human life.


Their staggering power and hoarding of wealth have prompted a number of G20 nations to consider imposing a wealth tax, aimed exclusively at the super-rich. In Canada, such a tax would apply only to those with wealth above $25 million. Yet it could collect $40 billion a year — funding public programs that could immensely improve the lives of millions of Canadians while clipping the wings of the super-rich.


Billionaires would threaten to depart. But as they left the country that had nourished them and enabled them to grow so wildly rich, they’d face a hefty “exit tax” on the way out.


Yes, change is possible.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Described as ‘Canada’s Michael Moore’ by the country’s National Post, Linda McQuaig is an award-winning investigative reporter and columnist for the Toronto Star. She is the author of seven Canadian bestsellers, which have earned her a reputation as a fierce critic of the establishment.

Reviews

[Ayrton Dravetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Although it did feel like a bit of an angry, overly biased liberal rant at times, I strongly agree with the premise of the book (the need for a wealth tax in Canada and beyond). Insightful read for anyone interested in wealth distribution, the growing emergence and power of the ultra rich and general taxation (among other topics).

[Adam Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Enlightening read on the influence billionaires have on politics, our tax system & the world, along with their current approaches to evade taxes and exploit tax loopholes. Strong and convincing arguments for a wealth tax and how the 99% could benefit from this redistribution of wealth. Appreciated that a large focus was on the Canadian landscape too!

Must read!

[Debbie]

We all need to read this book. Many of us have seen the rave comments on social media by the unsuspecting public that the philanthropy by the wealthy is so commendable. But we're all paying for it in many ways.
This book needs to be in all schools and libraries and bookstores.

[Wendy Fallis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an eye opener! An excellent, life altering read. Anyone who's interested in the welfare of humanity should read this book!!

[Alex DG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goes over many of the common beliefs and objections to taxing high net worth individuals, with many Canadian centred examples.