Shopify’s Tobi Lütke to Lead Digital Industries Strategy Group

The federal government is tapping the head of one of Canada’s most innovative companies for guidance on how the country can attract technology jobs.

Shopify announced its CEO Tobi Lütke as one of six industry leaders chairing economic strategy tables. Lütke will lead the digital industries group over the next six months, bringing together a team of 15 to develop policy recommendations to double down on business growth in the technology sector. 

“If you take a look at the Toronto Stock Exchange there are only a handful of tech companies listed. This is disappointing but also presents a great opportunity,” said Lütke in a statement.

“We need to break from convention, be bold, and define a path where innovation rives the future of our country, and our economy,” he added.

Lütke has steered his Ottawa-headquartered e-commerce company through a high-growth track that isn’t slowing down. The federal government is looking to Lütke and the digital industries group to develop an immediate and long-term action plan to propel Canada into the future.

“It’s funny to think of a country as a startup, but Canada feels like one. We’re still a very young country, full of raw potential. If we play our cards right, the future will be bright. I accepted this role because I want to help the government to get this right and share some of the lessons we’ve learned at Shopify,” Lütke said. 

Leaders of the five other industry-specific groups were previously announced, sectors that include advanced manufacturing and clean technology. Each table will lead a group of 15 and help guide the government towards its goal of doubling high-growth Canadian companies from 14,000 to 28,000 by 2025.

Lütke and the digital strategies table are expected to report their recommendations by mid-2018.