Great Canadian Builders

What is Great Canadian Builders?

Great Canadian Builders is a volunteer-powered project that shares the stories of Canadians whose work had a transformative impact. These are the people who created new products, reshaped industries, drove major projects, or generally made innovation into long-lasting success for Canada and the world.

These builders turn ideas into industries and possibilities into progress. They’re operators, makers, founders, engineers, scientists, and inventors – the ones who take something from concept to reality. They exist in every field, from technology, business, manufacturing, and beyond. These stories are a reminder of what Canadians can build with the right amount of grit, curiosity, and ambition.

Who qualifies to be a Great Canadian Builder?

This isn’t a list of every famous Canadian, or all Canadian entrepreneurs. It’s an evolving record of builders who made an outsized impact in their fields, with an emphasis on areas that lead to economic growth for our country.

They don't need to have been born here or have spent their whole lives in Canada, but what matters is that the work they are most known for was done here, or it was in Canada where the impact was most strongly felt.

We prioritize stories of builders whose most important contributions are already established, not still in progress. It allows us to spotlight people who may not be widely known, even though what they built continues to matter, often in ways many Canadians don’t even fully appreciate.

Can I nominate a builder?

Yes. While we’ve started with an initial list of builders, we'd love to hear who you think belongs here. You can email us at [email protected] with your nomination and a few lines about why you think they meet the qualifications, or leave a comment directly on the Notion list of Great Canadian Builders for consideration.

Can I write a story?

Absolutely! Every story is written by someone in the community. Check out this page to see which builders are available and sign up to write a story that inspires you. You can learn more about guidelines for writing and our team of volunteer editors and network of writers will support you along the way.

Who can I contact for other questions?

We would love to hear from you. You can reach us at [email protected], or connect with us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram or BlueSky.