/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
City News

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

By Toronto Life
Copy link
Gary Slaight
(Image: Getty Images)

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.

More of Toronto's Most Influential People

Toronto's 50 Most Influential: #1, Drake
Culture

Toronto’s 50 Most Influential: #1, Drake

Today, as far as the rest of the world is concerned, Drake is Toronto

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Latest

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.