Economy · Shopify CEO · ArchiveShopify CEO Tobi Lütke Endorses Weighted Voting by Tax PaidAired July 29, 2026 at 7:03 AM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke has endorsed a0:02proposal that would give wealthy0:04Canadians up to five votes while0:05stripping the vote from those who pay no0:07income tax. In a series of social media0:09posts, Lütke also said retirees with0:12pensions are dependent and should not be0:14allowed to vote. Lütke and an unnamed TD0:17Bank executive sparked a fierce debate0:19over democratic equality. The proposal0:21shared on X calls for a sliding scale.0:24Zero votes for non-taxpayers, one vote0:26for basic rate taxpayers, and up to five0:29votes for those paying at least $500,0000:31annually.0:32Lütke responded to the idea with the0:34words, "Good system." Then later posted0:37that pensioners are dependent and must0:38not vote. Adding, "Let people with a0:40stake in the future decide." The posts0:42quickly drew widespread condemnation0:44online.0:48Canada's legal framework has for decades0:50guaranteed equal voting rights for all0:52citizens. These milestones underscore0:54the stark contrast with the weighted0:56voting idea.0:59The proposal runs directly counter to1:01Canadian constitutional law and the1:03principle of electoral equality. As the1:062026 federal election approaches,1:08Lütke's remarks have reignited debate1:09over the influence of wealth on1:11democracy, with critics warning that his1:13stance would disenfranchise retirees,1:15students, and the unemployed, while1:17amplifying the electoral power of the1:18wealthiest.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗