Ignat Kaneff

Ignat Kaneff
Born	Template:Birth date Gorno Ablanovo, Bulgaria
Died	July 12, 2020(2020-07-12) (aged 93)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist
Known for	Construction business, philanthropy, Honorary Consul for Bulgaria in Canada

Ignat Kaneff (; born 6 October 1926 – died 12 July 2020) was a prominent Bulgarian-Canadian entrepreneur and benefactor.

Biography

Ignat Hristov Kaneff entered the world on 6 October 1926 in Gorno Ablanovo, Bulgaria, as one of six siblings born to Hristo and Mita Kanevi.

Having to leave school prematurely, he departed Bulgaria at age 14 and relocated to Austria in 1941, where he was employed by a Bulgarian firm specializing in agricultural trade. In 1951, Kaneff immigrated to Canada, establishing himself in Toronto and embarking on a career in construction. He began by building modest homes tailored for immigrant families and launched his first construction enterprise in 1956. The following year, his company completed its inaugural substantial project: a three-story structure containing nine apartments. Ten years later, the firm developed its first high-rise residential building featuring 262 apartments. Eventually, the business achieved annual revenues exceeding $250 million. Throughout his lifetime, Kaneff was responsible for constructing thousands of residential units, public infrastructure, and premium golf courses.

In addition to construction, Kaneff gained success as a General Motors automobile dealer, earning accolades from the corporation’s leadership. His assets included ownership of six golf courses alongside a major Canadian construction company, as well as stewardship of a charitable foundation bearing his name. At the time of his passing, his net worth was estimated above $1 billion, encompassing seven apartment complexes, over five golf clubs, and an extensive portfolio of North American real estate such as condominiums, houses, retail centers, and plazas.

He held the position of Honorary Consul for Bulgaria in Canada.

Ignat Kaneff passed away on 12 July 2020.

Philanthropy

Kaneff dedicated his charitable efforts primarily to healthcare, education, and the support of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. His initial significant contribution was made in 1955 toward a hospital in Toronto. He also donated land and contributed more than $1 million for the establishment of St. Dimitar Bulgarian Orthodox Church located in Brampton.

In 2009, he gifted $2.5 million to facilitate the renovation of Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, which was subsequently named in his honor. Three years later, in 2012, Kaneff provided $1.5 million—approximately half the funding required—for the creation of the Kaneff Centre, a state-of-the-art conference facility at Ruse University in Bulgaria that officially opened in 2013.

York University also features buildings named after him: the Kaneff Tower and Ignat Kaneff Building.

Honours

Kaneff was awarded Bulgaria's Order "Stara Planina first degree" in 2002. He received the Order of Ontario in 2010 along with an honorary Doctor of Juridical Science degree from York University recognizing his support for Osgoode Hall Law School’s refurbishment.

For his sponsorship of the Kaneff Centre, Ruse University honored him with an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2013. In December 2016, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. That year also saw him listed among Canadian Immigrant Magazine’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants.