Avie Bennett

Avie Bennett, CC OOnt (born January 2, 1928) is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist.

Work history

In 1986, he acquired the Canadian publishing company, McClelland & Stewart Inc. In 2000, he donated his shares, 75% of the company, to the University of Toronto. In 1991, he purchased Hurtig Publishers, publisher of the Canadian Encyclopedia.

He is also Chairman and President of First Plazas Inc., (his commercial real estate company), The Canadian Publishers; Chair of the Historica Foundation of Canada; and President of the International Readings at Harbourfront.

Honours

Avie Bennett received a Doctor of University (D.U.) from the University of Ottawa in 1997 and a Doctor of Laws (LL.D) from the University of Toronto in 1995. In June 2004, Avie Bennett was made a Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) at York University

He was the tenth Chancellor of York University from 1998 to 2004. He is currently Chancellor Emeritus and a member of the Board of Directors of the York University Foundation. In recognition of his support of York University the Student Services Centre at York's Keele campus was renamed the Bennett Centre for Student Services in 2006.

In 2003 he was appointed Chair of The Historica Foundation of Canada. The Art Gallery of Ontario appointed him an honorary chair of the board of trustees in 2004.

In 1991 he was made a Member of the Order of Canada, promoted to Officer in 1997, and promoted to Companion in 2003. In 1996, he was awarded the Order of Ontario. He has received honorary degrees from the University of Ottawa, the University of Toronto and York University.

References

• "Avie Bennett, OC, OOnt, HonLLD (Toronto), DU (Ottawa)". York University. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved February 2, 2005. 
• "A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF A LONG HISTORY (1906–2004)". McClelland & Stewart Ltd. Archived from the original on February 21, 2005. Retrieved February 2, 2005. 
• Office of the Governor General of Canada. Order of Canada citation. Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved May 24, 2010

External links

• Avie Bennett at The Canadian Encyclopedia