Jimmy Pattison

Jimmy Pattison is one of Canada’s most remarkable business figures, a self-made billionaire whose story embodies grit, vision, and philanthropy. His journey from selling doughnuts in a Vancouver schoolyard to building Canada’s second-largest privately held company is a testament to entrepreneurial spirit and resilience.

🌟 Early Life and Humble Beginnings

• Born October 1, 1928 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Pattison grew up during the Great Depression, a time that shaped his resourcefulness.

• His family moved to East Vancouver when he was six, where he worked countless odd jobs: selling seeds door-to-door, delivering newspapers, and even playing trumpet at church camps.

• After graduating from John Oliver Secondary School in 1947, he worked in a cannery, a packing house, and for the Canadian Pacific Railway before stumbling into car sales—a turning point in his life.

🚗 The Birth of a Business Empire

• In 1961, Pattison borrowed $40,000 to purchase a General Motors dealership, putting up his home and life insurance policy as collateral.

• That bold move launched the Jim Pattison Group, which today operates across 25+ divisions including automotive, media, food, packaging, and entertainment.

• The company employs more than 45,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales exceeding $10 billion.

💰 Wealth and Recognition

• Pattison’s net worth has been estimated between $9.6 billion and $12.1 billion, making him one of Canada’s richest individuals.

• He has received numerous honors:

• Order of Canada (1987) and Order of British Columbia (1990)

• Induction into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame (2018)

• International awards like the Horatio Alger Award (2004)

❤️ Philanthropy and Community Impact

• Beyond business, Pattison is a major philanthropist. In 2017, he donated $75 million to establish the Jim Pattison Medical Centre in Surrey.  Both my husband and I have been to this facility.  It's a cutting-edge facility that was built for the citizens of British Columbia and will help our community for years! 

• On March 28, 2017, Pattison donated $75 million to the construction of the new St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, a Canadian record for a private donation to a health care provider.  On May 30, 2017, Pattison and the Jim Pattison Foundation announced they were donating $50 million, the largest private donation in Saskatchewan history, to the new Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan which is expected to open in 2019. It was also announced that day the new hospital would be named Jim Pattison Children's Hospital in his honour. 

• He also played a pivotal role as Chairman and CEO of Expo ’86, helping put Vancouver on the global stage.  His salary for the role was $1.00!

📊 Legacy and Lessons

Jimmy Pattison’s life offers powerful lessons:

• Take risks boldly: His dealership purchase was a gamble that paid off.

• Work ethic matters: From fruit picking to car sales, every job built his resilience.

• Give back generously: His philanthropy ensures his legacy extends beyond business.

Jimmy Pattison is more than a billionaire; he is a Canadian icon whose story blends entrepreneurship with compassion. His empire may be vast, but his impact on communities—through philanthropy and leadership—remains his most enduring achievement.