Toronto’s 50 Most Influential: #41, Gary Slaight

Toronto’s 50 Most Influential: #41, Gary Slaight

Our annual ranking of the people whose smarts, connections and clout are changing the city as we know it

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Gary Slaight

Slaight Communications Inc.

41 The head of the Slaight Family Foundation followed up on a generous 2014—he gave a total of $100 million to six Toronto hospitals—with another year of giving away his broadcasting family’s fortune. In January, John Tory shaved Slaight’s head to launch #NoHairSelfie, a campaign that raised $1.8 million for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. In February, he split $7 million among seven organizations, including War Child Canada and Free the Children. He’s a staunch protector of Toronto’s arts community—there’s Slaight money behind the Junos, Soulpepper, Canada’s Walk of Fame, and many more—and this year he gave $20,000 to the Polaris Music Prize to increase award amounts.

Family Business:

Slaight’s wife, Donna, sits on the CAMH Foundation’s board and is chair of Human Rights Watch’s ­Canada Committee.

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