Family Business United continues to champion the family business sector and is delighted to be able to share details of the largest family firms in Canada. Like many countries, family firms are the backbone of the Canadian economy and collectively the fifteen largest family firms in Canada have been trading for over 1,130 years.
In terms of turnover they collectively generate turnover of $284,868 million and employ 1.2 million people.
As Paul Andrews, founder and CEO of Family Business United who champion and celebrate the contribution of family firms around the world adds, “The contribution of the top fifteen should not be under-estimated as it goes far and beyond revenue generation and jobs. These businesses are at the heart of communities across Canada and make a difference to lives each and every day. They deserve recognition for the wealth they create, the employment they provide and the support they give to organisations through their philanthropic endeavours too.”
| Rank | Family Business | Year Founded | Revenue 2018 $ Millions |
Employees 2018 |
| 1 | Alimentation Couche-Tard | 1980 | $51,394 | 130,000 |
| 2 | George Weston Ltd | 1882 | $35,592 | 203,238 |
| 3 | Power Corporation of Canada | 1925 | $35,251 | 30,000 |
| 4 | Loblaw Companies Ltd | 1919 | $34,261 | 197,000 |
| 5 | Empire Company Ltd | 1907 | $18,900 | 120,000 |
| 6 | Fairfax Financial Holdings | 1951 | $17,758 | 39,043 |
| 7 | Husky Energy Inc | 1938 | $16,307 | 5,157 |
| 8 | Bombardier | 1942 | $16,236 | 56,920 |
| 9 | Rogers Communication | 1960 | $11,071 | 25,000 |
| 10 | Canadian Tire Corporation | 1922 | $9,562 | 22,711 |
| 11 | Saputo Inc | 1954 | $8,951 | 132,000 |
| 12 | CGI Inc | 1976 | $8,902 | 74,000 |
| 13 | The Jim Pattison Group Inc | 1961 | $7,769 | 46,000 |
| 14 | McCain Foods Ltd | 1957 | $7,329 | 22,000 |
| 15 | Linamar Corporation | 1966 | $5,585 | 29,060 |
Source: Family Capital and PwC Research into the 750 Top Family Businesses Note - A family or families had to control at least 50% of the voting shares in a private company or at least 32% of the voting rights in a publicly listed company Note - Only family firms older than 20 years are included allowing a level of transition from the first generation to some participation of the next generation
