Catherine McIntyre, a reporter with The Logic, dives into the surprising shift of Canadian tech CEOs toward the Conservative Party after years of supporting the Liberals. She discusses the WhatsApp group 'Build Canada' and its ambitions to influence policy. The conversation highlights deteriorating trust in government, with industry leaders feeling overlooked, especially concerning taxation. McIntyre also touches on broader cultural shifts and the impact of U.S. political trends on Canadian tech, all while exploring the implications for innovation and corporate responsibility.
Canadian tech CEOs are moving towards the Conservative Party, driven by frustration with the Liberal government's neglect of their concerns.
The Build Canada initiative aims to influence policy changes, reflecting both economic self-interest and a cultural shift within Canada's tech sector.
Deep dives
Canadian Tech Leaders Align Right
Several high-profile Canadian tech leaders have shifted their political alignment, expressing support for the Conservative Party and its leader, Pierre Polyev, due to perceived neglect from the Liberal government. Influential figures like Shopify CEO Toby Luque and prominent investors participated in a WhatsApp group called Build Canada, aimed at formulating policy ideas to guide the future of the country. Initially, this group sought collaboration with the Liberal government but grew frustrated as their recommendations went largely unacknowledged. The disillusionment culminated in reactions against proposed tax increases that many entrepreneurs deemed an affront to business interests, further fueling their political shift.
Build Canada Initiative's Policy Vision
The Build Canada initiative encapsulates a vision for creating a more business-friendly environment, focusing on broad topics like immigration, transportation, and healthcare. Key figures in the project propose specific changes, such as digitizing health records for better accessibility and reforming the immigration system to prioritize economically beneficial newcomers. While these policy ideas aim to improve the country, they also reflect the self-interest of the entrepreneurs, who stand to gain from their implementation. This initiative positions itself as nonpartisan, yet many leading members openly favor Conservative policies, revealing a significant political undertone to their discussions.
Cultural Shift and Political Dynamics
A wider cultural shift appears to influence the perspectives of Canadian tech leaders, aligning them with right-wing sentiments prevalent in the U.S. Many entrepreneurs have vocalized their rejection of the Liberal government's ideologies, resonating with a movement that emphasizes meritocracy and a backlash against 'woke' politics. This transformation mirrors the trend seen in the U.S., where prominent tech figures have switched allegiance to Republican ideals and figures such as Donald Trump. As Canadian tech leaders increasingly support Conservative candidates, the dynamics of their political engagement reflect not only economic motivations but also a broader cultural realignment.
Following years of disillusionment with the federal Liberal party, some of Canada’s most high profile tech CEOs are leading a movement to bring their industry in line with the Conservative Party of Canada.
According to new reporting, a collection of Canada’s tech CEOs have been discussing plans to influence Canada’s future in a WhatsApp group called ‘Build Canada’. Canada’s tech sector was once closely bound to the Liberals and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but many feel slighted by a government they feel failed to take their concerns seriously.
Catherine McIntyre is a reporter with The Logic, and joins us to discuss Canadian Tech’s rightward drift, whether it is a product of similar trends in the United States, and the implications for Canada’s future.