Junior Achievement, (Globe & Mail) — The Canadian Business Hall of Fame (CBHF) celebrates the lifetime achievements of distinguished business leaders. The 46th annual Induction Ceremony takes place tonight in Toronto, with proceeds supporting JA Canada and its mission to equip youth with the skills and mindsets they need to succeed in an ever-changing economy.
Rachel Bruce, a youth journalist and JA Canada alumna, explores the accomplishments and values of the 2025 inductees to the Order of Canadian Business Hall of Fame – Ryan Beedie, Jacynthe Côté, Pierre Lassonde and Larry Tanenbaum – and how their legacies are inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurial leaders.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
The CBHF will welcome four remarkable individuals whose entrepreneurial paths have transformed industries, strengthened communities and left an indelible mark on the Canadian economy. These visionaries are being honoured for their leadership, impact on national and global economies, community engagement and service as mentors and role models.
Their journeys reflect how business leadership is defined not just by personal legacy but also by the values and contributions entrepreneurs and leaders bring to shaping a stronger future for Canada.
B.C. businessman and philanthropist Ryan Beedie, president of real estate development company Beedie, has used his resources and connections to create brighter futures for Canadian youth. His social profit enterprise, Beedie Luminaries, awards scholarships to resilient students in B.C.
The organization has granted $35-million in scholarships to help students pursue their educational goals. Beedie’s investment in local youth couldn’t come at a more pivotal time for the country. “Recently, an undercurrent of pride has been coming up to the surface,” he says. “Historically, we’re a bit too humble for our own good. We are the best country in the world – a welcoming, free, prosperous, democratic place where if people work hard, they can achieve their dreams.”
Jacynthe Côté chair of the board for RBC, is a respected leader known for her commitment to education, lifelong learning and community engagement. “I was fortunate to have access to education, which taught me how to learn and turned me into a ‘permanent student,’” she says.
That mindset gave her the opportunity to work for organizations with solid values and deep community roots. “Along the way, I was encouraged to take risks,” she adds. “After all, making mistakes is a critical part of learning and growth.”
Passionate about supporting Canadian youth, Côté actively champions educational initiatives through her involvement with the Sainte-Justine Foundation and as chair of Alloprof, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students in Quebec succeed.
A trailblazer in the mining industry, Pierre Lassonde, chairman emeritus of Franco-Nevada Corporation, attributes his success to the power of relationships and partnerships. “It’s all about people; whether it’s philanthropy, business, personal, surround yourself with the greatest people,” says Lassonde, whose legacy extends far beyond business investments.
Deeply committed to philanthropy, through the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation, Lassonde has created programs that support youth innovation, education and the arts. These include the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University, the Lassonde Mining Engineering program at University of Toronto, the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion at the Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec and countless scholarships from coast to coast.
Larry Tanenbaum has built an extraordinary legacy as chairman and chief executive officer of Kilmer Group of Companies, transforming Canada’s sport and entertainment industries. A respected entrepreneur and community leader, Tanenbaum is also a co-founder and board member of the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at the Montreal Neurological Institute, chairman of the research board for the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, and vice-chair of Brain Canada.
His impact is fuelled by a belief in the power of service and philanthropy. “Integrity, respect, trust, resilience and giving back – these values are central to both my professional and personal life,” he says.
These four entrepreneurial leaders, together with the more than 200 Companions of CBHF before them, have laid a foundation for a Canadian economy that thrives on leadership, innovation, philanthropy and lasting economic impact.
Their induction into the Order of the CBHF recognizes achievements far beyond the bottom line. By balancing business success with social responsibility, they have set a dynamic example for the next generation to follow.
INSPIRED TO LEAD
JA Canada programs are actively shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs who share the pioneering spirit of the CBHF inductees, and JA alumni are demonstrating the same drive and commitment to community that have made those business legends successful.
JA Company Program is an 18-week hands-on experience where aspiring entrepreneurs collaborate with peers to create and run a business – building skills and confidence needed to launch their future careers. Company Program is generously supported by local and national donors and partners, including Z Zurich Foundation, CIBC, The Rossy Foundation, McCall MacBain Foundation and Barclays, and is facilitated by passionate volunteers.
What sets this program apart is the dedication of volunteer mentors from the business community who generously offer their expertise, real-world guidance and industry insights. Emma Cooke, a current JA student in Southern Alberta, says, “I really love the community of the program; you get to meet students, share ideas and connect with local people.”
Linda Dai, a JA student in B.C., has also found the experience to be a celebration of teamwork. “It’s important to gather like-minded individuals to have a cooperative team,” she says.
Like this year’s honourees – who demonstrate that business success and social responsibility go hand in hand – JA students, too, are creating ventures with purpose. JA Company Program emphasizes entrepreneurial resilience and well-being, encouraging students to recognize and address real societal challenges. Through the program, students identify the changes they want to see across the country and take action through entrepreneurship.
Many student teams rise to this challenge by tackling issues close to their hearts, as shown by the Deckerous team. Deckerous, a business created by JA Southern Alberta students, is a social venture that sells playing cards promoting sustainability, culture and well-being – featuring fun designs printed on recycled materials.
“Mental health and building connections across different backgrounds and cultures was important to us as a group, so we incorporated that aspect into our product,” says Claire Li, a member of the Deckerous team. “Our playing cards sparked conversations about these issues and how prevalent they are across Canada.”
STUDENT-LED VENTURES
Another student-led venture is Chirper, a business created by JA students in Manitoba. The team produced and sold birdhouses made from recycled materials, including repurposed wood and leftover plexiglass.
The company’s goal was to connect customers with the beauty of Canadian nature while also helping to protect the planet by using recycled materials. A portion of the proceeds was donated to an animal shelter.
Reflecting on her experience in Company Program, Chirper teammate Scarlette Pastorin says, “I now understand the amount of work that is behind a business, and how much collaboration and communication needs to happen between teams to effectively and efficiently produce a good quality product.”
Léa Morgado, also a member of the Chirper team, emphasized another key takeaway: “Local businesses are important to rekindle community.”
These students may one day stand on the Canadian Business Hall of Fame stage, celebrated for their contributions to strengthening communities in Canada through business. Like the distinguished CBHF inductees, these aspiring entrepreneurs share the values of leaders who are made for Canada.
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