Former Google executive who left Canada calls for $500,000 tax for grads who flee the country — why the brain drain crisis is getting dire up north

After working in Canada for 20 years, Pichette moved to the U.S. in 2008 to take on the role of senior vice president and CFO of Google in California. He held the role until 2017. Over time, he has amassed a net worth of about $269 million (2) and is now a partner at Inovia Capital.

At the 2026 Liberal Convention (3) in Montreal, Pichette spoke on a panel titled Building a Stronger, More Competitive Canadian Economy.

“We as Canadians have subsidized my education to the tune of … half a million,” he said, during the panel. He went on to explain that the Trade NAFTA (TN) (4) visa allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to work temporarily in the U.S. in specific, prearranged jobs.

So why does Pichette now think that educated Canadians should either leave home for their professional careers or pay a $500,000 exit tax?

‘Brain drain’

Canada is experiencing what is often called a brain drain. This is when highly educated people leave their country to seek better pay and job opportunities.

According to Statistics Canada (5), the net emigration of 65,372 in 2024-25 was the highest level in the 50-year data series, as reported by The Hub (6).

Research from the Bank of Canada (7) also found that roughly 40% of Canadians who would rank in the top 1% of earners have moved to the United States. The study also found Canadian-born individuals in the U.S. are more educated than native-born Americans and earn substantially more.

That said, Pichette argued these departures drain the Canadian economy.

“You want to go to the U.S.? Give me back my money,” he said (1).