Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke's "Because I Like Canada" Tweet Ignites National Rally Cry

Ottawa, Ontario – Tobi Lutke, co-founder and CEO of e-commerce giant Shopify, recently garnered significant attention on social media after declaring he "accidentally started the most Canadian rally cry ever." The statement, posted on November 27, 2025, quickly resonated, with many identifying the emerging sentiment as "#becauseilikeCanada."

The spark for this rally cry appears to stem from a previous social media exchange where Lutke, responding to a user, simply stated, "because I like Canada." This phrase was then picked up by prominent figures, including investor John Ruffolo, who retweeted Lutke's original post with the comment, "This should be the rallying cry for why we should be building in Canada 👇@tobi #becauseilikeCanada."

Lutke, a German-Canadian entrepreneur, has frequently expressed his views on Canadian identity and innovation. In a 2018 piece for the Globe and Mail, he discussed what he perceived as a Canadian "inferiority complex," advocating for greater national pride and confidence in the country's achievements. He highlighted the "Own the Podium" campaign during the 2010 Olympics as an example of Canada rallying behind its successes.

This latest social media moment underscores Lutke's ongoing public engagement with themes of Canadian patriotism and economic development. As a leading figure in the Canadian tech industry, his comments often draw widespread discussion regarding national identity, business environment, and the country's global standing. The spontaneous adoption of "#becauseilikeCanada" suggests a collective desire among some Canadians to embrace and vocalize their national affinity.