Family enterprises play a vital role in shaping communities and driving our economy. Nearly 66% of all private sector firms in Canada are family-owned and they employ millions of workers. The practices and training that enable family firms to evolve, transfer ownership and thrive over generations have become an important area of research, one that the University of Ottawa’s Family Enterprise Legacy Institute (FELI) is helping to lead.
Founded in 2019, FELI is Canada’s most active university institute focused on family enterprise research, education and knowledge dissemination.
Building a stronger future for Canada’s business families
Earlier this month, FELI announced it’s moving to the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI) at the University of Ottawa, after being hosted at the Telfer School of Management.
This transition marks a deliberate, strategic step to strengthen collaboration between the University and Canada’s family enterprise community, and underlines uOttawa’s commitment to the field.
As uOttawa president Marie-Eve Sylvestre explains, the move reflects the University’s long-term commitment to building a stronger future for Canada’s business families.
“We are proud that the University is engaging in this vital conversation. Family businesses are a cornerstone of Canada’s economic and social fabric,” says Sylvestre.
Sylvestre adds: “Through FELI, we are proud to work with and for the family enterprise community. FELI is a key initiative for uOttawa, and we are committed to helping the institute as it continues to grow and advance research and impact in this field.”
“FELI is a key initiative for uOttawa, and we are committed to helping the institute as it continues to grow.”
Marie-Eve Sylvestre
— President and Vice-Chancellor
Too many families unprepared for succession
The institute will continue to be led by Director Peter Jaskiewicz, who will focus on Canada’s growing succession challenges and strengthen supports that business families need to thrive across generations.
“Canada is heading into the largest succession wave in its history, and too many family businesses are unprepared,” says Jaskiewicz. “Our institute will work with the family enterprise community to ensure they have the knowledge, training and support needed to not only survive but thrive. By joining OVPRI, FELI will be better positioned to ensure the needs of the community remain at the heart of our research and impact.”
New opportunities for research, partnership and innovation
Julie St. Pierre, uOttawa vice-president, research and innovation, will provide institutional oversight for FELI.
“This new relationship will allow FELI to benefit from the wider uOttawa network, creating new opportunities for research, partnership and innovation,” says St. Pierre. “OVPRI and uOttawa are committed to ensuring FELI’s long-term success and encouraging sustainable growth, to continue its important work.”
This transition marks a positive new chapter for FELI. With the support of the vice-president’s office, the institute will continue to expand its research, education and knowledge dissemination, while further building trust and strengthening partnerships with the family enterprise community in Canada and beyond.