National

Shopify CEO Calls On Federal Government To Abandon Tax Plan For Stock Options

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Feb, 2016 11:45 AM

MONTREAL — The CEO of one of Canada's up-and-coming tech companies is calling on the federal government to abandon its plan to tax stock options, saying the move will hurt innovation and hamper startup firms.

Tobi Lutke says the measure will make it more expensive for upstart companies to attract talent and would have made it more difficult to launch his e-commerce company, Shopify.

During last year's federal election campaign, the Liberals promised to tax people who make more than $100,000 in annual stock option gains.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau recently said he will soon release details about the commitment.

Lutke says the government promised during meetings with senior ministers and other officials to offer some form of grandfathering.

He also criticized proposed intellectual property clauses in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, joining others in the tech sector including Blackberry founder Jim Balsillie who have said the deal will undermine Canada's autonomy to adopt its own software patent rules.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Sen. Mike Duffy Finally Takes To Witness Box To Testify In Own Defence

OTTAWA — Sen. Mike Duffy has finally begun testifying in his own defence against 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.

Sen. Mike Duffy Finally Takes To Witness Box To Testify In Own Defence

Physician, Heal Thyself: MDs Willing To Help Patients Die May Face Emotional Fallout

In just weeks, barring an extension from the Supreme Court that would alter the timetable, Canadian doctors will enter a new era in the practice of medicine — one that gives them the legal right to help patients with unbearable suffering to end their lives.

Physician, Heal Thyself: MDs Willing To Help Patients Die May Face Emotional Fallout

Liberals Launch First Phase Of Inquiry Into Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government is kicking off what it calls the first phase of its inquiry into the tragic phenomenon of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

Liberals Launch First Phase Of Inquiry Into Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

Halifax Astronomer Catches Rare Image Of Booster Re-entering Atmosphere

A Halifax-based astronomer is the envy of his peers after he photographed a rare image in the skies from his balcony Sunday evening.

Halifax Astronomer Catches Rare Image Of Booster Re-entering Atmosphere

Four Mounties Suspended In New Brunswick Over Discreditable Conduct Allegations

The Mounties say they are acting on information that resulted in three suspensions in early November.

Four Mounties Suspended In New Brunswick Over Discreditable Conduct Allegations

Police In Grenada Search For New Brunswick Woman Who Disappeared While Jogging

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada — Police in Grenada are searching the small Caribbean island for a missing woman from New Brunswick who disappeared while out jogging with her dog.