richest in canada

Ontario family worth a staggering $71 billion just keeps getting richer

The Ontario family overseeing one of the world's largest media empires ranks among the wealthiest in the world, and managed to accumulate over $10B in additional riches over just the past few months alone.

British-Canadian media magnate David Thomson (3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet) and his family rank as the 22nd richest on Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires list, a position the Thomsons have held since 2023 on the running index of the wealthiest individuals and families around the globe.

Back in January 2024, the Thomson family empire was worth $60.4 billion (all figures in USD). That figure had increased to $67.8B by April.

As of May 7, the Thomson empire's value has swollen even more to $71B, cementing the family's position as the richest in Canada. Over $10B has been added to the family fortune so far this year.

The Thomson family has amassed this wealth through its control of The Woodbridge Company, the parent company of the Thomson Reuters media empire founded by Roy Thomson 90 years ago.

Thomson's business has since grown to span the globe, with media interests around the world that contribute to the family's ever-increasing wealth.

Despite his role as the patriarch in Canada's richest family, the 66-year-old David Thomson has kept a low profile since assuming the helm of the empire following his father's passing in 2006.

A Financial Post profile described the media baron as the "mysterious" and "reluctant" head of the Thomson empire, a role most of us would happy to take for just a tiny fraction of that $71 billion, if he's offering.

Lead photo by

eskystudio/Shutterstock


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Toronto public park has remained closed over a year and a half with no end date

Embattled Eglinton Crosstown LRT is already being repaired before even opening

Half of Canadians say they're $200 or less away from going broke

Toronto is in peak construction mode with over $1B in capital projects underway

Misspelled ads somehow made it onto Toronto's most prominent billboards

Costco Canada offering membership deal but you don't have much time

Canada Post hikes stamp prices and here's how much more you'll have to pay

The TTC is hiring for a bunch of well-paying jobs and here are some open roles