Shopify CEO sparks outrage with proposal to link voting rights to taxes

Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke ignited a firestorm on social media by endorsing a controversial voting system that would link suffrage to tax contributions. Lütke, the founder and CEO of the e-commerce giant, agreed on X (formerly Twitter) with a proposal suggesting voters receive a number of votes proportional to the taxes they pay. This system could leave the poorest citizens with no voting rights, while the wealthiest might hold up to five votes.

Adding to the controversy, Lütke proposed disenfranchising pensioners, arguing that they are "dependent" on their pensions, much like minors. This stance drew sharp criticism from Canadian commentators, with Dean Blundell labeling it "billionaire ignorance." Blundell pointed out that Lütke's idea echoes the "Dreiklassenwahlrecht" (three-class suffrage) system used in Prussia from 1849 to 1918, which divided citizens based on tax payments and gave the wealthiest class disproportionate electoral power.

The public broadcaster CBC noted similarities between Lütke's recent pronouncements and those of Elon Musk, highlighting Lütke's right-leaning views. Lütke, who is of German origin, has previously been associated with "Build Canada," a tech sector initiative lobbying for policies such as reduced federal spending and the promotion of AI. His comments come at a time when a significant majority of Canadians, 72 percent according to a recent Abacus Data poll, are concerned about the cost of living.