Browse "Business & Economics"

Imagine what it must have been like for Garth Drabinsky, a person who is, above all else, accustomed to getting his own way.

Garth Drabinsky should be used to it by now. He makes a decision, or launches a new venture, or sees a company under his command overhauled in one of those headline-grabbing power plays that have become as much a Drabinsky trademark as mega-musicals like Show Boat and Ragtime.

Theatre impresario Garth Drabinsky hailed the April, 1998 arrival of a team of executives led by superagent Michael Ovitz as a blessing. Sure, it meant that Drabinsky and his longtime partner Myron Gottlieb would have to relinquish control of Livent Inc., their Toronto-based live theatre company.

Dufferin "Duff" Roblin, businessman, politician, premier of Manitoba 1958-67 (b at Winnipeg 17 June 1917; d there 30 May 2010).

Dwight Ball, pharmacist, businessman, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador 2015–20, leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador 2013–20 (born 21 December 1957 in Deer Lake, NL). Ball became premier at a time of economic crisis. After several years of prosperity, slumping oil revenues required his government to bring in unpopular austerity measures to fight a burgeoning provincial debt. Ball retained the premiership in 2019, when his Liberal Party won a minority government. On 17 February 2020, Dwight Ball announced his intention to resign as premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. He remained in that position until 19 August 2020, when Andrew Furey was sworn in as premier. (See also Politics in Newfoundland and Labrador.)

Edwin Mirvish "Ed," theatrical producer, entrepreneur (b at Colonial Beach, Virginia 24 July 1914, d at Toronto 11 July 2007).

Edgar Fosburgh Kaiser Jr., entrepreneur, merchant banker, philanthropist (born 5 July 1942 in Portland, Oregon; died 11 January 2012 in Toronto, ON).

Edward Ellice, fur trader, merchant, politician (b at London, Eng 23 or 27 Sept 1783; d near Glengarry, Scot 17 Sept 1863).

Edward Gawler Prior, mining engineer, businessman, premier of BC 1902-03 (b at Dallaghgill, Eng 21 May 1853; d at Victoria 12 Dec 1920). In 1873 Prior immigrated to Vancouver Island, BC, and worked for a mining company in Nanaimo.

Edward Plunkett Taylor, "E.P.," businessman (b at Ottawa 29 Jan 1901; d at Lyford Cay, Bahamas 14 May 1989). Educated at McGill, Taylor joined the stockbroking firm MCLEOD, YOUNG, WEIR AND CO in Ottawa in 1923, moving to Toronto in 1928 and becoming a director in 1929.

Edward Rogers Wood, financier (b at Peterborough, Canada W 14 May 1866; d at Toronto 16 June 1941). Originally a telegraph operator, Wood joined the Central Canada Loan and Savings Company in 1884. He later became managing director and vice-president, and was elected president in 1914.

His alternating-current radio tube, perfected in 1925, revolutionized the home radio-receiver industry throughout the world.

Eldon Leslie Brown, mining engineer, executive (b at Toronto 19 Aug 1900; d at Brechin, Ont 20 Feb 1998). After working as an engineer for the Mond Nickel Co, Brown joined Sherritt Gordon Mines Ltd in 1927, becoming president and managing director in 1946.

Elizabeth Arden (née Florence Nightingale Graham), entrepreneur, founder of Elizabeth Arden Inc. (born 31 December 1881 in Vaughan Township, ON; died 18 October 1966 in New York City, NY). Arden was an innovator in the cosmetics and beauty culture industry. She used mass marketing to promote her products and change popular perceptions of makeup (see Advertising). Her clientele included British royalty and celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. She rose from humble beginnings to being one of the wealthiest women in the world.

Elsie Marie Knott (née Taylor), Ojibwe chief, community leader, entrepreneur (born 20 September 1922 on Mud Lake Reserve [now Curve Lake First Nation], ON; died there on 3 December 1995). Knott was the first elected female First Nations chief in Canada, after a 1951 amendment to the Indian Act permitted Indigenous women to vote and participate in band governments. She was also chief of her First Nation for 14 years, from 1954 to 1962 and from 1970 to 1976. Knott was dedicated to preserving the Ojibwe language and was known for her community activism and support of education.

​Elsie Reford, née Meighen, philanthropist and founder of the Reford Gardens (born 8 January 1872 in Perth, ON; died 8 November 1967 in Montréal, QC).

Enos Collins, merchant, privateer, banker (b at Liverpool, NS 5 Sept 1774; d at Halifax 18 Nov 1871). Enos went to sea as a cabin boy on one of his father's fishing vessels, becoming master of a trading ship before he was 19.

Erastus Wiman, journalist, businessman (b at Churchville, UC 21 Apr 1834; d on Staten I, NY 9 Feb 1904).

Eric Lafferty Harvie, oilman, philanthropist (b at Orillia, Ont 2 Apr 1892; d at Calgary 11 Jan 1975). Harvie was called to the Alberta Bar in 1915. He served overseas in WWI, was wounded in France and achieved the rank of captain.

Eric Herbert Molson, industrial capitalist (b at Montréal 16 Sept 1937). Molson was educated at Bishop's, Princeton and McGill.