Vaughan's philanthropist of the year trailblazer in Lyme disease research

Yorkregion.com
April 23, 2015
By Adam Martin-Robbins

The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce annual business achievement awards isn’t typically a forum where serious issues are raised or controversial statements are uttered, but that’s exactly what happened at this year’s instalment.

Rossana Magnotta, the outspoken founder and CEO, of Magnotta Winery, got the ball rolling.

The trailblazing entrepreneur was honoured as philanthropist of the year, in part for her work to build Canada’s research facility for Lyme disease, which claimed the life of her husband Gabe in 2009.

“For over 20 years I have been blessed with many business and entrepreneurial awards, but today my Lyme disease crusade is the most powerful part of my heart and my soul,” Magnotta told the crowd of about 600 business people gathered at the Paramount Conference & Event Venue April 9 to celebrate local businesses considered tops in their respective fields.

“The awards that truly touch me are the ones that shine a much-needed light on this devastating disease and the millions of sufferers whose voices are going unheard,” she continued.

From there, Magnotta went on to talk about the potentially devastating effects of Lyme disease and how it can be easily treated with antibiotics, before launching into a critique of the Canada’s medical establishment.

She argued Canada is lagging behind the United States and other countries in terms of researching, properly diagnosing and treating the disease.

That’s the reason she established the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases to raise the funds necessary to make the research centre a reality.

Following Magnotta, was keynote speaker Kevin O’Leary, best known as the tough-talking business mogul from the hit reality TV shows Shark Tank and Dragons’ Den.

He stirred up the audience with his extreme right-wing business philosophy; his skepticism about climate change and his advice to parents to follow in his footsteps and not give their kids any money once they’ve completed their education.

Among the stories O’Leary shared was one about a conversation he’d had with a student in a graduate business course he recently taught in Toronto.

The student reportedly told O’Leary that he’d founded a multi-million dollar software business, but his fiance was upset because he was spending all day working then attending at night rather than spending time with her and her family. And she was threatening to end their relationship if things didn’t change.

“You have done something remarkable. How many people your age have a $5-million business? It must be very profitable, if you’re running it out of your dorm,” O’Leary recalled saying to the student. “Which is easier to replace (the company or your fiance)? “

In addition to Magnotta, 11 other local employers and business people took home awards including PowerStream for environmental leadership; McMichael Canadian Art Collection for accessibility and Joseph Gulizia, president and CEO of UniversalCare, who was named top young entrepreneur (under 40).