WHO ARE THE 100 WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN CANADA?

Canadian Business magazine's annual RICH 100 list reveals the fortunes, homes, causes and obsessions of the nation's most affluent residents

PLUS: Canada's richest neighbourhoods

TORONTO, Dec. 2 /CNW/ - What does it take to make it on to the RICH 100? This year, those Canadians who have amassed between $23.36 billion (the Thomson family, #1 on the list, 12 years running) and $540 million (Videotron's André Chagnon, #100 on the list), made the cut. In between those two, there are more than 50 billionaires, three RICH 100 newcomers and some surprising fluctuations.

The wealthy Thomson clan maintained its top spot with a growth rate of 6.2% over last year. That's nothing compared with Lululemon's Chip Wilson, who jumped from 78^th to 49^th place this year. The ranking's highest climber, his worth rose to $1.25 billion, up 66.7% from last year's RICH 100. 

Meanwhile, Research In Motion's James Balsillie, with $1.81 billion, was down 32.4% over last year (30^th place versus 16^th in 2009), and Montreal's David Azrieli slipped from #8 last year to #11 this year, with a 21.4% decline in net worth.

Three newcomers

The RICH 100 list added three new wealthy Canadians this year: Pierre Karl and Érik Péladeau of Montreal's Quebecor Inc. debuted at # 85; Edward Sampson of Calgary's Niko Resources Ltd. ranked #96; and Jack Cockwell of Toronto's Brookfield Asset Management squeaked onto the list at #99.

TOP 3 ON THE CANADIAN BUSINESS MAGAZINE RICH 100 LIST

Name	Net worth	Location	Rank in 2009
1. Thomson Family (Thomson Reuters, Woodbridge Co. Ltd.)	$23.36 billion, up 6.2% (from last year)	Toronto	1
2. Galen Weston, (George Weston Ltd., Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Holt Renfrew)	$8.5 billion, up 31.3%	Toronto	3
3. James (J.K.), Arthur, and estate of John (Jack) Irving, (Irving Oil Ltd., J.D. Irving Ltd.)	$7.46 billion, up 2.5%	Saint John, N.B.	2

How the Other Half Lives—Canada's Richest Neighbourhoods

Every city has an upscale area of town, a neighbourhood with the fanciest cars, the biggest houses and the best properties. Canadian Business has identified the richest of the rich neighbourhoods—in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver— using data from Environics Analytics. The research firm has ranked neighbourhoods by the average net worth of the area's residents, revealing where the country's wealthiest call home.

PLUS:

• The collections of Canada's wealthy: Gold coins, vintage aircraft, Inuit carvings and suits of armour . . . .

• Giving Until it Hurts: Should Canada's billionaires be cajoled into philanthropy?

Canadian Business magazine's top-selling issue, the special RICH 100 celebration of affluence and achievement, is on newsstands now. Or, get the full ranking through the contact below.

About Canadian Business magazine:

Founded in 1928, Canadian Business is the longest-serving, best-selling and most-trusted business publication in Canada. Canadian Business stands alone as the business magazine in Canada with 100% paid circulation. With a readership of more than one million, the magazine is published every second Monday, except in January, July, and August, when monthly issues are published. Special annual issues of Canadian Business include he Investor 500, the MBA Guide, the Rich 100 and Winners and Losers. Visit www.canadianbusiness.com.

For further information:

Louise Leger
[email protected]
416-764-4125