Owners of Canadian Tire Corporation, one of Canada’s most recognised retail chains. The company was founded in 1922 by brothers John William and Alfred Jackson Billes and is headquartered in Toronto. Through its Canadian Tire banner and subsidiaries, the company operates over 1,700 retail locations.
J.W. and A.J. Billes began their business by purchasing a garage in Toronto and taking advantage of the growing automotive market in the country at the time. They adopted a strategy that focussed on tires in an era when blowouts were common. The brothers eventually incorporated as Canadian Tire Corporation, Ltd., in 1927, and J.W., the eldest brother, served as the company’s President, while A.J. assumed the role of Vice President.
After decades of company growth and expansion, J.W. Billes died in 1956, with an estate valued at approximately $6.2 million. J.W. Billes’ son, Dick, lobbied but failed to gain control of the company from his uncle, resulting in a well-publicised family feud.
A.J.’s son, Fred, joined Canadian Tire in the 1960s and ran one of the company’s flagship locations. A.J. appointed his daughter, Martha, to the company’s board after his resignation in 1980. A.J.’s three children remained divided over the company’s direction until Martha Billes bought out her two brothers’ holdings in 1997. Today, she serves as the company’s Independent Director.
