TOP 10 Richest Quebecers
Quebec is home to many successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who have built considerable fortunes. These businessmen and women have succeeded in diverse sectors such as food, technology and real estate. And here is the result: the richest Quebecers in Canada.
While American rappers often make headlines for their wealth, Quebec has its own billionaires too. These wealthy Quebecers have created commercial empires that generate billions of dollars each year. Their financial success reflects the economic dynamism of the province.
10. Stephen Jarilowsky – $2.18 Billion
Stephen Jarilowsky, from an immigrant family, built his fortune in the financial sector. He founded Jarilowsky Fraser, an investment firm that has become one of the most renowned in the world**. Its portfolios manage major pension funds in Quebec and Canada.**
Stephen Jarilowsky
In 2018, Jarilowsky sold his firm to Scotiabank for close to one billion dollars. He speaks five languages and is also known for his philanthropic activities. His career illustrates a remarkable success story in the Canadian business world.
9. Pierre Karl Péladeau – $2.42 Billion
Pierre Karl Péladeau, known as PKP, heads Québecor, a major company in media, telecommunications and entertainment in Quebec. His father founded the Journal de Montréal in 1964.
Pierre Karl Péladeau
PKP made his mark on Québecor with two major acquisitions: Vidéotron and Sun Media. These purchases significantly boosted the company’s revenues. Today, Vidéotron generates the largest share of Québecor’s profits.
8. Robert Miller – A Fortune in Electronics – $2.49 Billion
Robert Miller is a successful entrepreneur in the electronics field. He founded Future Electronics in 1968, a Montreal-based company that has become a global giant.
Future Electronics is today one of the world’s 4 largest suppliers of electronic components. The company also has a presence in 44 countries and generates over $5 billion in annual sales.
Robert Miller
Miller keeps a low media profile but is involved in environmental causes. His personal fortune is estimated at $2.42 billion.
7. The Rossy Fortune – $2.52 Billion
The Dollarama chain is well known to Quebecers. This thriving company was founded by the Rossy family. It all began in 1910 when Salim Rassy, who came from Lebanon, opened a small shop in Montreal. His son George then expanded the family business.
Larry Rossy
It was Larry Rossy, the grandson, who came up with the dollar store idea. Today, Dollarama is worth $20 billion on the stock market**. The Rossy family managed to transform a simple retail business into a retail empire, making them one of the wealthiest families in Quebec.**
6. Jacques D’Amours – The Convenience Store Mogul – $2.6 Billion
Jacques D’Amours is a remarkable Quebec entrepreneur. He co-founded Alimentation Couche-Tard, a convenience store chain that has experienced spectacular growth.
Under his leadership, the company expanded from a local Montreal presence to a global reach. The acquisition of Circle K was a major turning point. Today, Couche-Tard operates 15,000 stores on five continents, making D’Amours one of the most influential businessmen in Quebec. Jacques D’Amours has a fortune of over €2.6 billion.
5. Serge Godin – The IT Visionary – $2.66 Billion
Serge Godin founded CGI in 1976, starting modestly in his family’s basement. His goal? To help companies better manage their IT resources. Today, CGI is a global giant in information technology services.
The company has 77,000 employees and an international presence. The estimated fortune of its founder is $2.66 billion.
Serge Godin and his billionaire daughter
Godin’s success shows the impact of long-term vision in the technology sector.
4. Jean Coutu – The King of Retail Pharmacy – $4.5 Billion
Jean Coutu, a visionary entrepreneur, revolutionised the pharmacy concept in Quebec. In 1969, he opened his first store with an innovative idea: to offer more than just medicine.
His strategy consisted of taking advantage of extended opening hours to attract customers when other shops were closed. This approach was a resounding success. Jean Coutu is one of the richest and most powerful men in the country.
Photo of Jean Coutu
The Jean Coutu Group became a retail giant, blending pharmaceutical products with everyday items. In 2018, the company was acquired by Metro for $4.5 billion, confirming its place among the major players in the Quebec market. Jean Coutu has become one of the richest pharmacists in the world.
3. Alain Bouchard – $5.18 Billion
Alain Bouchard is a remarkable Quebec entrepreneur. Starting from nothing, he built a convenience store empire. His first Couche-Tard store opened its doors years ago. Today, the company has 15,000 points of sale on five continents.
Bouchard’s journey is inspiring. Born into a modest family, he climbed the ranks through sheer determination. His partner Jacques D’Amours joined him later in the venture.
Photo of Alain Bouchard with a fortune of over $5 billion
Bouchard transformed a simple convenience store into a global chain. His hard work has paid off, and he now ranks among the wealthiest Canadians.
2. The Desmarais Family – A Fortune of $5.81 Billion
The Desmarais family, one of the richest in Quebec, has built an impressive financial empire. Their story begins modestly with the purchase of a bus company for a symbolic one dollar. The Desmarais family is one of the richest families in the world, in Canada, and ranks 2nd among Quebecers with a fortune of over $5.8 billion.
Over the years, they have diversified into various sectors including insurance, financial services, paper and media. Today, Power Corporation is the crown jewel of their empire.
Photo of the Desmarais family
Paul Desmarais III, Vice-President, leads investments in financial technology, such as Wealthsimple. The Desmarais family maintains considerable influence in financial and political circles. Their success is built on a multi-generational strategy of expansion and diversification.
1. Emmanuel Lino Saputo – The Cheese King – $7.9 Billion
Lino Saputo, an Italian-Canadian entrepreneur, has built an impressive dairy empire. Starting from a modest family cheese shop, he created a world-leading company.
Lino Saputo
Saputo is also passionate about soccer. He is involved in CF Montréal and holds a stake in Bologna FC in Italy. His career illustrates a remarkable success story in the food industry and professional sport. Lino Saputo is the most powerful man in the country and the number one richest man in Quebec.
• Origin: Sicily
• Arrival in Canada: 1950s
• Sector: Food processing
• Company: Saputo Inc.
• Sports interests: Soccer
Conclusion
In conclusion, the richest Quebecers perfectly illustrate the dynamism and diversity of Quebec’s economy. From Stephen Jarilowsky in the financial sector to Lino Saputo in the dairy industry, these entrepreneurs and business leaders have built thriving empires in varied fields such as media, electronics, retail and technology.
Their success testifies not only to their vision and determination, but also to Quebec’s capacity to foster innovation and economic growth. These influential leaders play a crucial role in job creation, technological innovation and the province’s international profile.
The list of the richest Quebecers continues to evolve, reflecting market changes and new business opportunities. Their journeys inspire generations of Quebec entrepreneurs, reinforcing Quebec’s position as fertile ground for entrepreneurial success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The wealthiest people in Quebec
Here are some of the richest people in Quebec:
- Lino Saputo (dairy industry)
- Alain Bouchard (Couche-Tard)
- Pierre Karl Péladeau (Québecor)
- Jean Coutu (pharmacies)
- Guy Laliberté (Cirque du Soleil)
This list changes from year to year depending on market fluctuations.
The ranking of the richest Quebecers in 2025
The precise ranking of the 100 richest Quebecers in 2025 is not available. Financial magazines generally publish these lists each year. Fortunes vary depending on company performance and economic conditions.
The highest-paid Quebec comedian
Martin Matte is often cited as one of the highest-paid Quebec comedians. Other popular names include Louis-José Houde, Sugar Sammy and Laurent Paquin. The exact incomes of comedians are not publicly disclosed.
Alain Bouchard’s fortune
Alain Bouchard, founder of Couche-Tard, has an estimated fortune of several billion dollars, estimated at over $5 billion. His wealth comes primarily from his stake in Couche-Tard. He is one of the richest Quebecers in the country.
The number of billionaires in Montreal
The precise number of billionaires in Montreal is not known with certainty. The city is home to several very wealthy individuals, but the exact figure varies depending on the criteria used and economic fluctuations. The ranking of the richest Quebecers is one that changes constantly.
The richest family in Quebec
The Saputo family is often considered one of the wealthiest in Quebec. Their fortune comes from the dairy industry. Other wealthy families include:
- The Desmarais family (Power Corporation)
- The Molsons (brewing)
- The Péladeau family (Québecor)
The ranking can vary from year to year and depending on the valuation method used.
Key takeaways
- This article is an editorial synthesis built from publicly available information discussed in the page.
- The figures cited are estimates rather than audited financial statements.
- The conclusions focus on the revenue drivers and public signals described in the article.
Editorial methodology
The estimates published by Lama Fortune rely on public sources, media references, and sector comparisons. They are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.
