Shopify founder Tobi Lütke sparks fierce backlash over senior voting comments

Tobi Lütke, the co-founder and chief executive of Shopify, used his X account on July 25 to argue that seniors should lose the right to vote, likening them to dependents without a stake in the future. He also entertained a suggestion to allocate votes according to the amount of income tax paid, capping the maximum at five votes for those earning over $500,000. Liberal strategists and left-leaning commentators quickly responded, calling him a "wanker" and, in some cases, invoking Nazi comparisons because of his German background.

Opinion pieces in one outlet and the Globe and Mail seized on the remarks, framing them as authoritarian and criticizing Lütke’s broader political views. The reaction reflects a wider tension in Canada over the influence of older voters and the role of wealthy tech leaders in public discourse. While Lütke’s proposals are unlikely to become policy, the episode underscores the scrutiny faced by high-profile entrepreneurs when they voice controversial ideas.