Magazine releases annual ranking of Canada's wealthiest people

By The Canadian Press

TORONTO - The wealthy Thomson family remains number one on the latest Canadian Business magazine list of the 100 richest Canadians.

The Thomson clan, which controls Thomson Reuters, has amassed roughly $21.99 billion, up 19 per cent over last year. But that growth is nothing compared with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSX: IVN.TO) executive Robert Friedland's.

The magazine says his worth rose 217 per cent to $1.59 billion and he jumped 61 spots to number 32 on the list.

The number two spot is occupied by Irving Oil owners James Arthur and John Irving at $7.28 billion.

Galen Weston, owner of Loblaw Cos. Ltd (TSX: L.TO) is third with $6.47 billion, followed by Vancouver businessman Jimmy Pattison at $5.07 billion.

The Rogers Family of Toronto, owners of Rogers Communications (TSX: RCI-B.TO) rounds out the top 5 at $4.7 billion.

The magazine says there are 55 billionaires in Canada this year, up from 53 in 2008.

The total net worth of the richest 100 is $172.7 billion, up from $165.1 billion in 2008, and 39 of the 100 wealthiest live in Ontario.