Quebec has long been a hub of innovation and ambition, so it’s no surprise that some of the richest people in Canada have ties to the province.
From Montreal-born entrepreneurs to global business moguls who launched their careers or studied here, these Canadian billionaires represent a fascinating mix of homegrown success stories and individuals whose Quebec connections played a key role in their journey to the top.
Whether it’s revolutionizing tech, leading global companies or building cheese empires (yes, you read that right) — these folks prove there’s more than one way to make it big. Some still call Quebec home, while others are based abroad but retain deep ties to the province through their businesses, education or family legacies. Their impact can be felt across industries, from the dep on your corner to the technology driving the apps you use every day.
This year, Maclean’s and Canadian Business teamed up to rank Canada’s 40 wealthiest citizens by analyzing public records and financial disclosures, including stock valuations and industry benchmarks. Among the list are several billionaires with connections to Montreal and other parts of Quebec, showcasing the province’s enduring influence on Canada’s economic landscape.
So without further ado, here are the 12 wealthiest Canadians in 2024 with ties to Montreal, and how they built those giant fortunes.
Jack Cockwell
Net worth: $3.42B
National rank: #40
How he made his billions: South African-born Cockwell is a legendary figure in Canadian finance and real estate, with career roots that trace back to Montreal. He moved from South Africa to the city in the 1960s and later joined Edper, the Bronfman-owned conglomerate, helping it expand into a massive portfolio of real estate, natural resources and finance. Now known as Brookfield Corporation, the company remains one of Canada’s largest, with Cockwell holding significant shares.
Though he now lives in Toronto, Cockwell’s early career in Montreal laid the foundation for his lasting influence in Canadian finance and real estate.
Lawrence Stroll
Net worth: $3.54B
National rank: #39
How he made his billions: Montreal-born Stroll made a name for himself in luxury fashion by investing in Michael Kors back in 2003. He later expanded his passion for cars by purchasing the Formula One team Force India, rebranding it to Aston Martin, where he’s now executive chair. Stroll’s Montreal roots and love of high-performance cars keep him close to the Formula One circuit, where he often cheers on his son, Lance, an Aston Martin driver.
Serge Godin
Net worth: $4.11B
National rank: #37
How he made his billions: Godin founded CGI, an IT consulting powerhouse, from his Montreal apartment with just $5,000 at age 26. Today, CGI is one of the largest tech consulting firms worldwide, with 90,000 employees. Godin still lives in Westmount, Quebec, and remains executive chair of CGI. His daughter, Julie Godin, is also part of CGI’s executive team, securing the family’s leadership in one of Canada’s major tech firms.
Jean Coutu & family
Net worth: $4.62B
National rank: #34
How they made their billions: Jean Coutu launched his first pharmacy in Montreal in 1969, creating one of Canada’s largest drugstore chains and becoming a household name across the province as well as in Ontario, New Brunswick and even the U.S. In 2018, the Coutu family sold their business to Metro Inc. for $4.5 billion. Though Jean, now 97, no longer runs the company, two of his sons, Michel and François, sit on Metro’s board, maintaining the family’s legacy within Quebec’s retail landscape.
Jacques D’Amours
Net worth: $4.8B
National rank: #33
How he made his billions: D’Amours co-founded Alimentation Couche-Tard with Alain Bouchard (who will make his appearance later on this list), helping it grow into an international convenience store giant. Over 34 years, he took on multiple leadership roles at Couche-Tard, becoming the company’s second-largest shareholder. Although he’s now retired from the board, his daughter, Marie-Ève D’Amours, was made a Couche-Tard director last year.
Ryan Cohen
Net worth: $5.64B
National rank: #30
How he made his billions: Originally from Montreal, Ryan Cohen co-founded online pet retailer Chewy, selling it for a massive $3.35 billion. Later, he joined GameStop’s board, fueling the stock’s rise as a “meme stock” and earning him the nickname “Meme King.” Now GameStop’s CEO, Cohen currently lives in Florida and remains a significant figure in tech and retail investment, with ventures in companies like Apple and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Jeff Skoll
Net worth: $6.01B
National rank: #27
How he made his billions: A Montreal native, Skoll was eBay’s first president and wrote the company’s original business plan, earning him a fortune when eBay went public in 1998. After leaving eBay, Skoll launched Participant Media, which has produced prolific films like An Inconvenient Truth and The Help. Though Participant Media recently closed, Skoll’s philanthropic impact continues through the Skoll Foundation, which partners with entrepreneurs advancing social and environmental causes.
Garrett Camp
Net worth: $7.02B
National rank: #20
How he made his billions: Calgary-born Camp, co-founder of Uber, briefly lived in Montreal in his youth, where he interned at Nortel Networks and took courses at Concordia University. Although now based in California, Camp’s Montreal ties mark his early tech beginnings. Through his venture capital firm Expa, Camp continues to invest in unique tech ideas while also dedicating half his wealth to charity through Camp.org, a foundation supporting initiatives like deepfake recognition technology.
Saputo family
Net worth: $7.59B
National rank: #18
How they made their billions: Founded in Montreal in 1954, the Saputo family business started as a small cheese operation led by Giuseppe Saputo. His son Lino grew it into a global dairy powerhouse, taking Saputo public in 1997. Today, Saputo is a household name across the country and one of the largest dairy producers worldwide, with real estate interests across Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City. The family’s connection to Montreal runs deep, with Joey Saputo also founding CF Montréal and owning Stade Saputo.
Alain Bouchard
Net worth: $9.62B
National rank: #11
How he made his billions: Alain Bouchard began with a single convenience store in Quebec in 1980 and expanded it into Alimentation Couche-Tard, Canada’s largest convenience store chain. Now, Couche-Tard operates over 16,000 stores worldwide, including the Circle K chain. Though he stepped down as CEO in 2014, the “King of Convenience” remains involved as executive chair, with his Quebec-based company setting its sights on even more international growth, including a potential acquisition of 7-Eleven.
Desmarais family
Net worth: $9.96B
National rank: #10
How they made their billions: The Desmarais family built its wealth through the Power Corporation of Canada, based in Montreal. Founded by Paul Desmarais Sr., Power Corporation now spans financial services, asset management, insurance and energy. His sons and grandsons carry on the family legacy, steering the company into new areas like fintech. From their Montreal headquarters, the Desmarais family has become one of Canada’s most influential financial dynasties, with their impact extending globally.
Changpeng Zhao
Net worth: $61.02B
National rank: #2
How he made his billions: Known in the crypto world as CZ, Changpeng Zhao is the founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Before launching his career, Zhao spent his teen years in Canada and studied at McGill University, where he graduated with a BSc in computer science. His company’s token, BNB, has become one of the most valuable cryptocurrencies, and Zhao holds a major share. Despite facing recent legal challenges, Zhao’s Montreal roots and ties to McGill are a proud connection for Quebec in the digital currency space.
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