Controversial German-Canadian billionaire Tobias \u201cTobi\u201d L\u00fctke is under fire once again for online comments suggesting that people who don\u2019t earn an income should not be eligible to vote in elections, and that high earners should have more electoral power than middle- and low-income voters.<\/p>\n
The Ottawa-based founder and CEO of Shopify, one of the biggest companies in the country<\/a>, commented on a post shared on X calling for a \u201cweighted voting proportional to the level of income tax you pay,\u201d saying it is a \u201cgood system.\u201d<\/p>\n It was only a two-word response, but the blowback was swift and loud.<\/p>\n Idk, feels like it should be front-page news that the CEO of Canada\u2019s largest non-banking company thinks that poor people shouldn\u2019t be allowed to vote. https:\/\/t.co\/Tzh2O4H6KC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/OBlSO2MME5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Nathaniel Arfin (@ArfinNathaniel) July 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n L\u00fctke also made comments referring to politically engaged Toronto residents as \u201cunemployed, Unemployable, and useful idiots,\u201d which struck a nerve.<\/p>\n Forbes<\/a> says Shopify generated nearly $9 billion in 2024 revenue and that L\u00fctke owns 6 per cent of the e-commerce platform, which went public in 2015. According to reports<\/a>, he took home $205.5 million just in 2024 alone, making him the highest-paid CEO in Canada. His net worth is estimated at about US$10.1 billion.<\/p>\n Exactly what just happened in Toronto.<\/p>\n Retired, Unemployed, Unemployable, and useful idiots are the only people who go to these town hall sessions. https:\/\/t.co\/uzALEIrFo9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 tobi lutke (@tobi) July 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n There are few things that get working people in Toronto fired up faster than a billionaire suggesting they deserve less of a say in the exact society they helped build. Backlash was almost immediate because not everyone agrees that the one with the biggest bank account should also stand on the biggest soapbox.<\/p>\n I\u2019m no billionaire myself \u2014 heck, I\u2019m not much of a thousandaire \u2014 but I do know this: history has shown, time and time again, that wealth is not a reliable measure of empathy, wisdom or solid judgment.<\/p>\n Among the many people struggling to stomach L\u00fctke\u2019s comments, one individual didn\u2019t hold back, calling him \u201cthe biggest douche\u201d on X.<\/p>\n Wow, the head of Shopify is truly the biggest douche https:\/\/t.co\/3M5JDLHvrm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bruce (@BrucewMitchell) July 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The nice thing about democracy is that L\u00fctke is entitled to his opinions, even if the majority of folks find it absolutely ridiculous.<\/p>\n Many familiar Toronto voices joined the conversation. Former radio personality Dean Blundell didn\u2019t mince words, either, accusing L\u00fctke of pushing an idea that may get his 7,000 employees dismissed.<\/p>\n The CEO of Shopify hates Toronto. Hates Canada despite being an immigrant to Canada and thinks elites should decide for everyone else. \u2014 Dean Blundell\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 (@ItsDeanBlundell) July 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n X users continued a feeding frenzy of this \u201ceat the rich\u201d sentiment, with users unloading their frustration over the idea that wealth should buy more political influence.<\/p>\n Tobi has over time shown a visceral contempt for people\u2014especially those not of his class\u2014existing in his space \u2014 Back On This App and It\u2019s Still Hell (@wickdchiq) July 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n L\u00fctke is no stranger to controversy. In 2017, he faced backlash<\/a> over Shopify hosting an online store for the far-right U.S. outlet Breitbart News. At the time, L\u00fctke defended the decision, saying, \u201cProducts are speech, and we are pro-free speech.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether you see L\u00fctke\u2019s recent comments as a provocative debate about democracy or otherwise, there\u2019s no denying that telling people that their wealth should determine if their voice matters is bound to strike a nerve.<\/p>\n MobileSyrup may earn a commission from purchases made via our links, which helps fund the journalism we provide free on our website. These links do not influence our editorial content. Support us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s literally on a Twitter tirade that would get all of his employees fired. https:\/\/t.co\/8xRF3ctDas<\/a><\/p>\n
If you want to know why Canada is sucking its because people like him are too influential in running it https:\/\/t.co\/iUUOhXZDjq<\/a><\/p>\n