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Jonathan Wener

Knight
2018

Over the past four decades, Jonathan Wener has distinguished himself not only as a leading Canadian property developer but also as a philanthropist. Among the many causes to which he has devoted himself, first and foremost are cancer research and higher education in Montréal, especially at Concordia University, where he is chancellor.

Jonathan Wener is chairman and CEO of Montréal-based Canderel, which he founded in 1975, a major company specializing in construction, acquisition and real estate management across Canada. His involvement in this activity sector led him to found the Urban Development Institute of Quebec in 1987. 

Community action plays an integral part in his life. Passionate about the arts, entrepreneurship and health, he has involved himself personally with numerous organizations and lent his support to funding several institutions, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, the Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse, the Segal Centre for Performing Arts and McGill University’s Goodman Cancer Research Centre. 

In 1989, following his wife Susan’s battle with cancer, which she survived, Jonathan Wener launched the Défi Canderel. Each year, some 100 Montrealers take part in this foot race to raise funds for cancer research. To date (in 2018), this initiative has raised more than $15 million for the cancer research centres of McGill University and Université de Montréal. 

Before being named chancellor of Concordia University in 2015, Jonathan Wener held several positions with the university. As chair of its Real Estate Planning Committee, he put his expertise to work in renovating its infrastructure and erecting new buildings. In 2017, on the occasion of the 375th anniversary of Montréal and the 150th anniversary of Canada, he donated an impressive kinetic sculpture by artist Anthony Howe to the Henry F. Hall Building. 

In 1971, Jonathan Wener graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Sir George Williams University, which merged three years later with Loyola College to form Concordia University. 

In 2003, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2009, he was inducted into the Club des entrepreneurs of the Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the economic development of the province. In 2012, he also received the Fraser Institute’s prestigious Founders’ Award, named after founders T. Patrick Boyle, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.

The picture and biographical information appearing on this page were current at the time this person was admitted to the Ordre de Montréal.