Overview
The Ranking evaluates data of the top billionaires in Canada according to their estimated net worth, industry affiliation, and ranking position.
The latest rankings reveal a landscape dominated by media & telecom, with technology and retail.
Beinsure Media analyzed data from The Bloomberg Billionaires Index and compiled a Canada’s billionaires rating.
Canada, long known for its elegance, enterprise, and cultural influence, is also home to a number of individuals who hold considerable financial power.
List of Richest People in Canada by Net Worth
| Rank | Name | Net worth | Industry |
| 1 | Changpeng Zhao | $50.2B | Crypto |
| 2 | Sherry Brydson | $21.5B | Media & Telecom |
| 3 | David Thomson | $13.3B | Media & Telecom |
| 4 | Peter Thomson | $13.3B | Media & Telecom |
| 5 | Taylor Thomson | $13.3B | Media & Telecom |
| 6 | David Cheriton | $13B | Technology |
| 7 | Tobi Lutke | $12.5B | Technology |
| 8 | Linda Campbell | $10.4B | Media & Telecom |
| 9 | Gaye Farncombe | $10.4B | Media & Telecom |
| 10 | Joseph Tsai | $10.3B | Technology |
| 11 | Chip Wilson | $7.7B | Retail |
| 12 | James Pattison | $7.4B | Media & Telecom |
| 13 | Bruce Flatt | $7B | Finance |
| 14 | Garrett Camp | $6.5B | Technology |
| 15 | Alain Bouchard | $6.3B | Retail |
Canadian Richest People (2025): Billionaire Elite
This list of the country’s wealthiest individuals spans a broad range of industries—from media and telecoms to technology and retail—offering a glimpse into the sectors driving high net worth in modern Canada.
Canada’s billionaire landscape reflects a balance between legacy family wealth and new fortunes forged in technology and finance. Leading the list is Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, whose crypto empire puts him far ahead of other Canadian billionaires.
The Thomson family dominates the next ranks, with Sherry Brydson, David Thomson, Peter Thomson, and Taylor Thomson collectively representing the country’s most powerful media dynasty through Thomson Reuters. Their wealth underscores the enduring role of media and information services in shaping global business.
Technology also features prominently, with Stanford professor and Google investor David Cheriton, Shopify founder Tobi Lutke, and Alibaba co-founder Joseph Tsai highlighting Canada’s influence in Silicon Valley and e-commerce.
Linda Campbell and Gaye Farncombe, members of the Thomson family, extend the reach of media wealth further down the list.
Together, these individuals not only dominate the national financial landscape but also serve as influential players on the global economic stage.
Their industries—media, technology, finance, and retail—illustrate where innovation and market influence are most heavily rewarded in today’s interconnected world.
TOP 10 Billionaires in Canada
1. Changpeng Zhao – $50.2B – Crypto
Changpeng Zhao, widely known as “CZ,” is the founder and former CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Born in 1977 in Jiangsu, China, he immigrated to Canada with his family in the late 1980s, settling in Vancouver.
Zhao studied computer science at McGill University in Montreal before working at Bloomberg and Tokyo Stock Exchange as a software developer. In 2017, he launched Binance, which quickly became a global leader in crypto trading thanks to its user-friendly interface, wide selection of tokens, and aggressive expansion.
Zhao’s fortune surged as crypto adoption grew worldwide, making him one of Canada’s wealthiest individuals. However, his career has not been without controversy—Binance has faced regulatory scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions, leading CZ to step down as CEO in 2023 after reaching a settlement with U.S. authorities.
Despite this, Binance remains a dominant force in the crypto ecosystem. Known for his relentless work ethic and belief in blockchain’s transformative power, Zhao continues to be a key figure in the digital assets world. His journey from immigrant roots to global crypto mogul illustrates the rapid wealth creation possible in emerging technologies.
2. Sherry Brydson – $21.5B – Media & Telecom
Sherry Brydson is Canada’s richest woman and a key member of the Thomson family, which controls Thomson Reuters, one of the world’s largest media and information companies. Born in 1951, Brydson is the granddaughter of Roy Thomson, who built the family fortune through newspapers and broadcasting.
She is the largest individual shareholder in Woodbridge, the Thomson family holding company that controls Thomson Reuters and maintains a stake in telecom giant Bell Canada. Beyond media, Brydson has investments in aviation, hospitality, and oil services.
She avoids the public spotlight and rarely gives interviews. However, she is active in philanthropy, particularly supporting environmental initiatives, arts, and community development through her charitable foundations.
She is often described as modest and deeply committed to Canadian causes. Her position within the Thomson dynasty reflects both inheritance and strategic stewardship of the family’s assets, ensuring the empire’s continued relevance in a rapidly evolving information economy. Brydson’s fortune underscores the enduring power of family-owned conglomerates in Canada’s corporate landscape.
3. David Thomson – $13.3B
David Thomson, 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet, is chairman of Thomson Reuters and one of the most influential figures in global media. Born in 1957 in Toronto, he is the eldest grandson of Roy Thomson, who established the family’s media empire.
After his father, Kenneth Thomson, passed away in 2006, David assumed leadership of Woodbridge, the Thomson family’s holding company. Under his stewardship, Thomson Reuters has maintained its position as a global leader in financial data, legal research, and news services.
David has significant investments in real estate and art, building one of Canada’s most valuable art collections. Known for his reclusive and intellectual personality, he rarely grants interviews and shuns the public eye. Despite this, his decisions shape the direction of one of the world’s most important news and information companies.
While he prefers to work behind the scenes, his influence spans business, culture, and philanthropy. His wealth and leadership underscore the enduring global reach of Canadian business families in information and media industries.
4. Peter Thomson – $13.3B
Peter Thomson is a Canadian billionaire and member of the Thomson family, heirs to the Thomson Reuters media empire. Born in 1959, he is the grandson of Roy Thomson and co-chairman of Woodbridge, the family’s private investment firm, alongside his brother David.
While David serves as the public face of the empire, Peter plays a quieter but equally significant role in managing the family’s holdings. Through Woodbridge, the Thomsons maintain control of Thomson Reuters, a global leader in financial and legal information, as well as investments in telecom and other industries.
Peter is known for his low profile, preferring to focus on governance and long-term strategy rather than public engagement. Beyond business, he is involved in philanthropy, particularly in Canadian health and education initiatives.
His wealth reflects both inheritance and the disciplined stewardship of a family empire across generations. Together with his siblings, Peter ensures that the Thomson dynasty remains one of the most powerful in global media, reinforcing Canada’s influence on international information services.
5. Taylor Thomson – $13.3B
Taylor Thomson is a Canadian billionaire and member of the influential Thomson family, best known for their control of Thomson Reuters. Born in 1959, she is the granddaughter of media magnate Roy Thomson.
Unlike her brothers David and Peter, who are directly involved in family business operations, Taylor has pursued her own path as an actress, producer, and entrepreneur, while retaining her stake in the family’s vast holdings.
She studied law at the University of British Columbia but shifted toward the arts, including roles in film and theatre. Despite her creative interests, she remains an important shareholder in Woodbridge, the family’s holding company that oversees Thomson Reuters and other investments. Taylor has also invested in real estate, particularly in Toronto and Los Angeles.
She maintains a relatively private life compared to her siblings but participates in philanthropic efforts, supporting cultural and social causes. Her fortune underscores the strength of the Thomson dynasty, which has preserved and expanded its wealth across generations while allowing family members to pursue diverse personal interests.
6. David Cheriton – $13B
David Cheriton is a Canadian computer scientist, professor, and billionaire investor. Born in 1951 in Vancouver, he earned his PhD in computer science from the University of Waterloo before becoming a professor at Stanford University. Cheriton is renowned for his pioneering work in computer networking, distributed systems, and operating systems. Beyond academia, he built his fortune through investments in technology startups.
His most famous bet was an early $100,000 investment in Google, made in 1998 alongside Andy Bechtolsheim, which turned into billions after the company’s IPO. Cheriton also co-founded several companies, including Granite Systems and Arista Networks, both of which became highly successful in networking technology. Despite his wealth, he is known for his frugality, often driving modest cars and living relatively simply.
He is also a philanthropist, supporting education and research, particularly in computer science and engineering. Cheriton’s career highlights the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship, demonstrating how cutting-edge research can lead to transformative innovations in the tech industry.
7. Tobi Lütke – $12.5B
Tobi Lütke is the co-founder and CEO of Shopify, the Canadian e-commerce platform that powers millions of online stores worldwide. Born in 1981 in Koblenz, Germany, he moved to Canada in 2002 and began building a small online snowboard shop.
Dissatisfied with existing e-commerce tools, he developed his own platform, which became Shopify in 2006. Under Lütke’s leadership, Shopify grew into one of Canada’s most valuable technology companies, providing merchants with easy-to-use tools to build and scale online businesses.
His vision has been to democratize commerce, empowering entrepreneurs of all sizes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shopify’s role surged as small businesses relied on digital channels, boosting both revenues and Lütke’s fortune. Lütke has remained deeply involved in product development, fostering a culture of innovation.
He is also vocal about work-life balance and modern workplace practices, embracing remote work and flexibility. Beyond business, Lütke has invested in environmental causes and Canadian tech initiatives. His story reflects Canada’s growing role as a hub for global technology innovation.
8. Linda Campbell – $10.4B
Linda Campbell is a Canadian billionaire and member of the Thomson family, which controls Thomson Reuters, the global media and information giant. Born in 1956, she is the granddaughter of Roy Thomson and one of the heirs to the family fortune.
Through her stake in Woodbridge, the family’s private holding company, Campbell shares in the control of Thomson Reuters and other assets, including stakes in telecom and financial services.
Unlike some of her siblings and cousins who play active roles in the business, Campbell keeps a very low profile, rarely appearing in public or engaging with the media. She is known to focus on family, private investments, and philanthropy, particularly in education and community initiatives in Canada.
Her fortune reflects both the strength of the Thomson empire and the family’s long-term strategy of keeping control centralized through Woodbridge. Though she avoids publicity, her wealth places her among the most influential women in Canada’s business landscape, demonstrating the enduring impact of multi-generational family wealth.
9. Gaye Farncombe – $10.4B
Gaye Farncombe is a Canadian billionaire and another heir to the Thomson family fortune. Born in 1957, she is the granddaughter of Roy Thomson and one of the shareholders in Woodbridge, the family’s investment company. Farncombe is less publicly visible than her cousins David, Peter, and Taylor, who are more active in family business and public life.
However, she shares in the immense wealth generated by Thomson Reuters and other investments under the Woodbridge umbrella. Like other members of her family, she is involved in philanthropy, with interests in education, healthcare, and the arts. Despite her considerable fortune, Farncombe maintains a private lifestyle, away from media attention.
Her story illustrates the power of inheritance and family stewardship in maintaining control of global enterprises across multiple generations. While she may not hold executive roles, her position within the Thomson dynasty ensures that she remains a key figure in Canada’s wealthiest family. Her fortune underscores the significance of Thomson Reuters in shaping both global media and Canadian business influence.
10. Joseph Tsai – $10.3B
Joseph Tsai is a Taiwanese-Canadian businessman and co-founder of Alibaba Group, the Chinese e-commerce giant. Born in 1964 in Taipei, Tsai moved to the United States for his education, earning degrees from Yale University in economics and law. He began his career in private equity before meeting Jack Ma in 1999.
Together, they founded Alibaba, where Tsai became the chief financial officer and architect of its business model. His willingness to accept low pay and take equity helped establish Alibaba’s foundation.
Tsai remains Alibaba’s vice chairman and holds a significant stake in the company, making him one of Canada’s richest tech figures. Beyond Alibaba, Tsai owns the Brooklyn Nets basketball team and the New York Liberty in the WNBA, combining his business acumen with passion for sports.
He is also active in philanthropy, donating to education, medical research, and social causes through the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation. Known for his global outlook, Tsai bridges East and West in business and culture. His wealth reflects both his role in one of the world’s most influential companies and his diverse portfolio of interests.
Billionaires List by Country in 2025
- Richest People in the United States
- Richest People in the United Kingdom
- Richest People in Australia
- Richest People in China
- Richest People in France
- Richest People in Germany
- Richest People in Hong Kong
- Richest People in Italy
- Richest People in Sweden
- Richest People in Switzerland
- Richest People in India
- Richest People in Indonesia
FAQ
The richest individual listed is Changpeng Zhao, with an estimated net worth of $34.1 bn, largely derived from his role in the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
Media and telecoms are long-established industries in Canada with deep roots in publishing, broadcasting, and information services. The Thomson family and others like Sherry Brydson have inherited or built vast fortunes through ownership stakes in major media corporations.
David Cheriton, a professor and early investor in Google, earned a significant portion of his wealth from his early stake in the tech giant, as well as other successful tech investments and ventures.
The top sectors represented include media & telecom, technology, finance, and retail, reflecting both traditional and emerging avenues of wealth generation.
Yes, notable female billionaires include Sherry Brydson, Taylor Thomson, Linda Campbell, Gaye Farncombe, and others, highlighting strong female representation, particularly in media and family-held businesses.
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Edited by Nataly Kramer – lead finance editor at Beinsure Media
