All men are equal, but…
As of 2025, there are 77 billionaires with Canadian citizenship, a slight increase from previous years. By comparison, America has 1,135.
These individuals have amassed their fortunes through a diverse range of industries, including media, technology, retail, and natural resources. While some inherited their wealth, many others are self-made or immigrant entrepreneurs who built their empires from the ground up.
Here is a look at some of the richest individuals and families in Canada and how they got their money.
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The Thomson Family: Media and Information
The Thomson family, with a net worth that has been pegged at around $98.15 billion, stands as Canada’s wealthiest family. Their fortune originated with Roy Thomson, who built a newspaper empire.
The family’s wealth is now controlled through their holding company, Woodbridge, which has a controlling stake in Thomson Reuters, a global information and media company. David Thomson, the current patriarch, and his siblings Sherry Brydson and Peter and Taylor Thomson are key heirs.
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Changpeng Zhao ($62.9 billion): Cryptocurrency King
Known as “CZ,” Changpeng Zhao is a Chinese-Canadian entrepreneur who co-founded Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
His fortune, valued at around $61.02 billion, comes from his role in the explosive growth of the cryptocurrency market. He is a prominent figure in the technology and finance sectors.
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The Weston Family- Loblaws ($18.05 billion CAD)
– Source of Wealth: Retail & Food Processing
– How they made their money: The Weston family’s fortune began with a bakery in 1882. Today, their wealth is primarily tied to their controlling interest in George Weston Limited, a holding company that owns a majority stake in Loblaw Companies Limited.
This makes them the owners of some of Canada’s most recognizable food and retail brands, including Loblaws, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Real Canadian Superstore. Galen G. Weston, the current chairman of the board for both companies, has been a public face of the family’s business interests.
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Sherry Brydson ($16.7 billion)
– Source of Wealth: Media and Investments
– How they made their money: As a granddaughter of media magnate Roy Thomson, she is the largest single shareholder of the family’s holding company, Woodbridge. This gives her a significant stake in Thomson Reuters, the global media and information services company.
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David Cheriton ($14.3 billion)
– Source of Wealth: Technology
– How they made their money: A Stanford professor, Cheriton became a billionaire after being an early investor in Google. His foresight and initial investment in the tech giant paid off handsomely.
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Joseph Tsai ($12.1 billion USD)
-Source of Wealth: E-commerce
– How they made their money: A co-founder of the e-commerce titan Alibaba, Tsai built his wealth alongside Jack Ma. He is also the owner of the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA.
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Jim Pattison ($11.4 billion)
– Source of Wealth: Conglomerate
– How they made their money: The self-made billionaire started his empire with a single car dealership in Vancouver. The Jim Pattison Group now has a vast portfolio that includes food, broadcasting, and entertainment businesses.
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Tobi Lütke: Shopify ($8.9 billion)
– Source of Wealth: E-commerce
– How they made their money: The German-born Canadian is the co-founder and CEO of Shopify, an e-commerce platform that has become a global success story, enabling millions of businesses to sell online.
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Linda Campbell ($8 billion USD)
– Source of Wealth: Media and Investments
– How they made their money: Another granddaughter of Roy Thomson, Linda Campbell is a significant shareholder in the family holding company, Woodbridge, which gives her a substantial stake in Thomson Reuters.
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David Cheriton
A Stanford professor, his wealth of over $12.64 billion (CAD) comes from being an early investor in Google.
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The Irving Family
With a diverse portfolio spanning forestry, oil, construction, and media, the Irving family has built a multi-generational business empire centered in New Brunswick.
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Jim Pattison
At 96, he still runs the Jim Pattison Group, a massive conglomerate with interests ranging from car dealerships and grocery chains to broadcasting and Ripley’s Entertainment.
Where do you stand?
Canada’s billionaires may seem worlds apart, but their stories highlight the power of vision, timing, and bold choices. While you may not be chasing billions, it’s worth asking—where do you stand today, and what steps can you take to build your own version of lasting wealth?
