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16 Facts About Leo Kolber

1.

Ernest Leo Kolber, was a Canadian businessman, philanthropist and Senator, serving from 1983 to 2004.

2.

Leo Kolber received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949 and a Bachelor of Law in 1952 from McGill University.

3.

Leo Kolber was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1952.

4.

Leo Kolber was President of Cemp Investments, a family holding company for the children of Samuel Bronfman.

5.

Leo Kolber was instrumental in two major Bronfman deals: Seagram's purchase of a stake in DuPont and the sale of the Cadillac-Fairview real estate company at the height of its value in 1987.

6.

For many years, Leo Kolber was the chief fundraiser for the Liberal Party of Canada.

7.

Leo Kolber served on the boards of many companies, including Seagram, MGM, and the Toronto-Dominion Bank.

8.

Leo Kolber's late wife Sandra was a published poet and film executive who served on the board of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and was a recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1994.

9.

Sandra and Leo Kolber were among Montreal's most active philanthropists.

10.

Leo Kolber's son Jonathan is an Israeli citizen who was chairman of Koor Industries Ltd.

11.

In 1983, Leo Kolber was appointed to the Senate of Canada representing the senatorial division of Victoria, Quebec.

12.

Leo Kolber was the Chairman of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce.

13.

Leo Kolber played a role in reducing Canada's capital gains taxes.

14.

Leo Kolber advocated a change in government policy to permit bank mergers, but did not prevail.

15.

Leo Kolber retired from the Senate shortly before his 75th birthday in 2004.

16.

On January 8,2020, Leo Kolber died at his home in Montreal from Alzheimer's disease at age 90.