Joseph L. Rotman, Chairman and CEO of Roy-L Capital Corporation, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant accomplishments as a game-changing entrepreneur. He received the honour Oct. 10 at a Toronto gala.
“Celebrating individuals who have made outstanding contributions as entrepreneurs throughout their lifetime is what our Entrepreneur of the Year program is all about,” said Colleen McMorrow, Entrepreneur of the Year national and Ontario director. “Joe’s ingenuity, hard work and philanthropy have helped him to create and nurture successful businesses and health science organizations for decades.”
Rotman began his entrepreneurial career in 1962. A difference-maker, he has used his business acumen to shape and transform health care, education and the arts. He has been the founder, benefactor and member of many successful organizations, including Clairvest Group Inc., Tarragon Oil and Gas, Geocrude Energy, PanCana Resources, PanCana Minerals and Embassy Resources. His accomplishments were recognized in 1995 with the Order of Canada, the highest honour bestowed to Canadian citizens.
On July 1, Rotman was appointed as Chancellor of Western for a four-year term. The chancellor is the titular head of the university, and its foremost ambassador. Western’s Rotman Institute of Philosophy and the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto are named in his honour.
The award celebrates the kind of public mentorship needed to continually renew Canada’s business ecosystem by spotlighting business and community leadership at the highest level.
“Joe exemplifies the entrepreneur’s pioneering spirit. His contributions to the educational community and Canadian economy serve as inspiration and example to the next generation of entrepreneurs,” McMorrow said. “His generosity has changed the face of the Canadian life sciences industry.”
Past recipients of the lifetime achievement award include Ted Rogers (2008), Wallace McCain (2007), Gerald Schwartz (2005), Isadore Sharp (2003), Edwin Mirvish (2002), Thomas and Sonja Bata (2001) and Frank Stronach (2000).