Leo Kolber
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Ernest Leo Kolber (born January 18, 1929) is a Canadian businessman, company director, philanthropist and former Senator.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949 and a Bachelor of Law in 1952 from McGill University. He was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1952. Kolber was President of CEMP Investments, a family holding company for the children of Samuel Bronfman. Author Peter C. Newman writes that "Kolber was so close to the family that Sam treated him as a son and Leo worshipped Sam as a father." Newman calls Kolber "the non-Bronfman Bronfman with the big brain" and "a tough cookie," but goes on to say that Kolber "was always honest and had a sense of humor about himself." Kolber was instrumental in two key Bronfman deals: Seagram's purchase of a stake in DuPont and the sale of the Cadillac-Fairview real estate company at the height of its value in 1987. In the process, Kolber acquired considerable wealth in his own right, including $100 million for arranging the Cadillac-Fairview sale. A character based on a caricature of Kolber appears in the Mordecai Richler novel Solomon Gursky Was Here; the portrait is highly unflattering.
For many years, Kolber was the chief fundraiser for the Liberal Party of Canada. He also served on the boards of many companies, including Seagram, MGM, and the Toronto-Dominion Bank. Kolber's late wife Sandra was a published poet and film executive who served on the board of The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and received an arts award from the Governor General. Sandra and Leo Kolber were among Montreal's most active philanthropists. Causes included The Montreal Symphony Orchestra, McGill University and The Jewish General Hospital.
Kolber's close friendship with Israeli President Shimon Peres dates back to the 1950s. Kolber's son Jonathan is an Israeli citizen who was chairman of Koor Industries Ltd., a leading Israeli investment firm.
In 1983, Kolber was appointed to the Senate of Canada representing the senatorial division of Victoria, Quebec. He was the Chairman of the Senate standing committee on banking, trade and commerce. Kolber played a role in reducing Canada's capital gains taxes. He advocated a change in government policy to permit bank mergers, but did not prevail.
In December 2000, the National Assembly of Quebec condemned Yves Michaud, a former Parti Québécois delegate-general to Paris, for repeating on the radio angry remarks he had made to Kolber in a Montreal barber shop. Michaud had said that Jews weren't the only people in the world to have suffered. The controversy escalated into what became known as l'Affaire Michaud. Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard subsequently resigned, citing support for Michaud within the Parti Québécois as one of his reasons.
Kolber retired from the Senate shortly before his 75th birthday in 2004. In 2005, he was appointed Chair of the Advisory Council on National Security.
In 2003, he published his autobiography, written with L. Ian MacDonald, entitled Leo: A Life. Though long associated with the pro-business wing of the Liberal Party, Kolber writes that he always considered himself "a strange sort of socialist." Also Included in the book are anecdotes about Kolber's friendships with such Hollywood celebrities as Danny Kaye and Harry Belafonte. One chapter is devoted to Kolber's travels with former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. On the business front, Kolber is sharply critical of Edgar Bronfman, Jr.'s tenure at Seagram. He also expresses disappointment at the declining business ethics that led to the scandals at Enron, Worldcom and other companies.
In 2007, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
