A financial dynasty has dethroned Quebec’s dépanneur king in the latest Gazette Rich List.
Under the stewardship of brothers Paul Jr. and André, the Desmaraises have overtaken Couche-Tard founder Alain Bouchard to become Quebec’s wealthiest. The family’s estimated fortune rose from $7 billion to $11.5 billion, the biggest gain on the list.
The second edition of the rankings shows Quebec’s 25 wealthiest individuals and families hold about $110 billion combined, marking a 27 per cent increase from the inaugural list, even as the province has faced economic peril from U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and other conflicts around the world. The entry point on the list remains $1.1 billion.