Claire Trottier was born into a wealthy family that had disproportionate financial resources compared to those of the general population, and she quickly realized this. Just as she was very quickly made aware of the inequalities that exist on a global scale and which reign just as much in Quebec. It is necessary, according to her, that the rich and ultra-rich make their fair contribution and participate fully in all the challenges of society by being taxed correctly.
In this period of preparing tax returns, most of the time we hear people complaining about the excessive tax burden they have to bear.
It is pointed out that members of the middle and upper classes are unfairly taxed compared to wealthy people who have all sorts of means to evade the tax they have to pay or to minimize the contributions they have to make.
Claire Trottier, daughter of Lorne Trottier, co-founder of the highly successful technology company Matrox since its founding in 1976, also believes that the rich don’t pay their fair share of taxes and that it’s big time for things to change.
For four years, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Claire Trottier has co-signed with 200 millionaires and billionaires from all over the world a manifesto calling for the imposition of a tax on wealth and on the estates of large fortunes.
“I have read a lot on the issue and I am not the only wealthy one who wants to commit to better tax justice. In the United States, there are groups like Patriotic Millionaires who have been advocating for years for a restructuring of the American tax system.
“In Canada, I joined the group Resources in motion, which brings together young people aged 20-30, from wealthy families who also want to pay their fair share of taxes,” explains the philanthropist and activist.
The tax model that these movements want to establish is simple: it involves introducing a tax on wealth of 2% on fortunes of more than 5 million, 3% on 50 million and more and finally 5% on the family fortunes of more than 1 billion. A tax that could bring in up to nearly $50 billion in Canada, according to Claire Trottier.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Claire Trotier
Mme Trottier does not want to comment on the ways in which the levels of wealth of these new contributors would be determined, she is not a tax expert and it is not up to her to decide, but to the government.
Wouldn’t such measures encourage increased use of tax havens which are already widely used by the very wealthy?
“Tax havens already exist and that’s another problem that needs to be tackled anyway. The status quo is unacceptable. Such a tax would change absolutely nothing in my way of life and it would allow governments to have additional means to tackle the major problems of the day,” emphasizes Claire Trottier.
Respond to crises
Holder of a doctorate in immunology and virology from McGill University, Claire Trottier left her professorship at McGill two years ago to devote herself to her philanthropic activities within the Trottier Family Foundation and to her duties as President of the board of directors of the NPO Collectif Bienvenue.
“We set up this NPO in 2017 to support immigrants seeking asylum. We rely on the circular economy to help refugees, find them furniture, clothes that we get directly from donors. We also offer them psychosocial support,” explains Claire Trottier.
The explosion in the number of asylum seekers passing through Roxham Road has created immense pressure on the Collectif Bienvenue organization, which is literally overwhelmed with requests from all sides.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Claire Trotier
We are confronted with climate change, the housing crisis, the inflation that hits the poorest, the migration crisis… The richest must do their part. I was more taxed when I was a teacher than I am today because I get dividends.
Claire Trottier, philanthropist and activist
The Trottier Family Foundation, which was endowed with more than 230 million before the sale of part of the activities of Matrox to the American Zebra Technologies for 1.1 billion last year, nevertheless intervenes actively in the fields of climate change, health, education and science.
“Yes, but philanthropy will not solve everything. We cannot count on the generosity of a few alone, the rich must contribute. Generosity cannot substitute for justice. In the United States, even [Joe] Biden mentioned it in his State of the Union address by suggesting a tax for billionaires, the idea is gaining ground and moving forward,” rejoices Claire Trottier.