Canadian billionaire, wife found dead

Toronto, December 16

Toronto billionaire and philanthropist Barry Sherman and his wife have been found dead in their mansion, that was recently listed for sale for $5.4 million. “The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way,” Ontario health minister Eric Hopkinson told the media outside the couple’s home.

He said the police were called to the Shermans’ home in an upscale neighbourhood of north Toronto just before noon yesterday in response to a “medical complaint.” He declined to say whether the bodies showed signs of trauma. Expressing shock at the death of his “dear friends,” he tweeted: “I am beyond words right now... Incredible philanthropists, great leaders in health care. A very, very sad day.”

Sherman was chairman of generic drug-maker Apotex, which he founded in 1974 with two employees. It went on to become the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical company. Along the way, he amassed a vast fortune, which Canadian Business magazine estimated at $3.65 billion to make him the 15th richest Canadian. The company has more than 10,000 people in research, development, manufacturing and distribution facilities worldwide,with more than 6,000 employees at its Canadian operations.

Sherman, an active philanthropist, had donated $39 million to United Jewish Appeal. He had also become an active fundraiser for PM Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party in recent years but was criticised for a pay-for-access fundraiser in August 2015, that included Trudeau, while being registered as a lobbyist. — AP