I'm actually British, Canadian and Polish, and I live in the US. I've lived in Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Saipan. I've had the opportunity to live under many different systems. Of course, Canada has done shameful things in the past, as has virtually every other nation. I mean, Quebec was a world leader in the export of chrysotile asbestos until 2012. I hardly think you can point to past systems as a reason the current is deficient.

There are plenty of things Canada can do better, too: universal drug benefit, universal dental and vision, childcare, not exporting asbestos so much, etc. I can honestly say though, its a much better way to live up there than down here. You can point to what your taxes do, like allow you to live without the fear of crushing medical debt at any moment. So you pay them without the same amount of tooth gnashing.

"you had no option but to pay the government or risk being tortured"

Also known as just "following the law." You could also say you had no choice but to not rape someone or risk being tortured.

I don't understand your analogy. Are you trying to draw an equivalence between tax resistance and rape?

No, I am trying to say that the, "You have to pay tax or be tortured" is ridiculous. You're not going to be tortured at all. You're going to be penalized just like you would if you failed to follow any other law on the books.