TL;DR:

Canada’s wealthy tech leaders are becoming politically active, with some shifting from supporting the Liberals to endorsing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Key figures from Shopify are involved in political discussions and initiatives, potentially influencing Canadian politics similar to what has been observed in the United States.

Synopsis:

Canada’s affluent tech leaders are increasingly engaging in the political landscape, drawing parallels to their American counterparts. A new article from The Logic reveals that some Canadian tech executives, initially Liberal supporters, are now vocal proponents of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, while critiquing Prime Minister Trudeau. They reportedly have a WhatsApp group named “Build Canada,” although the specific aims of the group have not been disclosed, with insiders suggesting urgency due to an impending election. A Shopify VP is taking leave to work on a political initiative, hinting at deeper involvement.

Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke is publicly airing opinions through social media, including retweets of controversial figures and articles, indicating a shift in political stance. At the same time, Shopify’s COO Kaz Nejatian co-founded a conservative media outlet with ties to contentious right-wing figures, raising concerns due to its ties to extremist content. Meanwhile, Shopify’s President Harley Finkelstein participates in events held by Pierre Poilievre’s wife, further underscoring the company’s intertwined political engagements.

These activities spotlight the potential influence of wealthy tech entrepreneurs in Canadian politics, paralleling concerns in the United States regarding the intersection of money and politics. The presence and actions of these tech leaders could significantly impact Canadian policies and political dynamics, warranting scrutiny as history suggests such involvement can alter public discourse and policy priorities.