James Temerty

James Temerty is a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist whose life’s work reflects a deep commitment to innovation, community service, and global impact. He is a member of the Order of Canada (C.M.).

Born in Ukraine’s Donbas region and raised in Montreal after immigrating to Canada in 1950, Mr. Temerty began his entrepreneurial journey early. While studying at Sir George Williams University, he founded the University Student Business Association and brought Dick Clark’s American Bandstand to Montreal—his first successful venture.

Over four decades, he led transformative businesses in technology and renewable energy. He owned ComputerLand franchises, co-founded Softchoice Corporation and Northland Power Inc., now a global clean energy leader. He later founded MOLLI Surgical Inc., an award-winning medical technology firm advancing breast cancer treatment.

Alongside his wife Louise, Mr. Temerty established the Temerty Foundation in 1997, channeling their success into causes close to their hearts—health care, education, and cultural initiatives in Canada and abroad. Since its founding, the Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to institutions making a meaningful impact. In 2020, their $250 million gift to the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine marked the largest one-time donation in Canadian history. In 2008, Mr. Temerty founded the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, a global initiative fostering understanding and reconciliation between Ukrainians of Christian and Jewish heritage. In 2024, they deepened their commitment to mental health with a $75 million gift to CAMH to establish the Temerty Discovery Centre, a world-leading hub for brain science research. The Temertys have also been generous supporters of Concordia University’s PERFORM Centre.

His legacy is one of vision, generosity, and enduring impact.