The Ghermezian Organization and its affiliates are a major diversified, international
conglomerate with vast knowledge and experience. Their active involvement comprises
large scale ventures in such fields as banking, economic redevelopment and revitalization,
job creation, urban renewal, establishment of suburban communities, civic projects,
full range residential, commercial and industrial developments, major tourism facilities,
mixed retail and entertainment complexes, technology, mining and natural resources,
hospitality and hotel operations, the majority of which are developed, managed,
owned and operated by The Group.
A sample of the groups activities and projects include:
- the federally chartered People's Trust company, Canada's second largest non-public
banking institution;
- as mentioned in the Guiness Book of World Records, West Edmonton Mall in Canada
and the Mall of America in the United States respectively the first and second largest
tourism, retail and entertainment complexes in the world. Each year they generate
over $2 billion in regional economic impact and taxes. They attract over 60 million
visits annually, more than Disneyland in California, and Disneyworld in Florida
combined.
The Group's diverse business history began in 1895. Their projects stimulate the
economy of an entire region and break the limited mold set by other organizations.
The ability to develop, manage, own and operate these enterprises is due to over
2,000 uniquely qualified staff members internationally, mainly in USA and Canada.
Through its internal resources the Group is able to mobilize a highly capable team
and meet the demands of unique projects in any part of the world.
Among many awards, the Government of Canada recently honoured the Ghermezian Family
with the Great Canadian Award, recognizing the family's contribution to the economies
of Canada and USA, responsible for the creation of over 50,000 jobs. Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II has honoured the senior members of the Ghermezian family with
medals of honour in recognition of their significant contributions to compatriots,
community and economy of Canada.
The Ghermezians support a host of philanthropic causes. Notable among these are
the fully funded educational centres for the underprivileged including elementary,
junior high and high schools, and adult education centres internationally.
Organizations supported by the Ghermezian Family are as follows:
ASSOCIATIONS/SOCIETIES
- ABC Child Services
- Alberta Child and Family Services
- American Association of Zookeepers
- The Arthritis Society
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters Associations
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Edmonton
- Canadian Paraplegic Association
- Capital Health
- Celiac Association
- Edmonton Block Parent Association
- Edmonton John Howard Society
- Elizabeth Fry Society
- Family Links
- Festival Place
- Good Samaritan Society
- The Hope Foundation
- Kids On Track
- Lupus Society
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Old Strathcona Mother's Day Family Run
- Paralympic Sports Association
- Planned Parent Hood Association
- The Private Adoptions Society of Alberta
- The Rainbow Society of Alberta
- Sickle Cell Society of Alberta
- Stony Plain & West Parkland Crime Association
- Students International Health Association
- Support Network
- Teen Time of Edmonton
- Younglife Edmonton
- The Valley Zoo Development Society
MAJOR FUND RAISING EVENTS
- Alberta Special Olympics
- Cans Festival
- Carnival of Champions
- Kids Cottage
- Ronald McDonald House
- S'NO Challenge
MEDICAL
- Alberta Health
- Associated Ambulance
- Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologies
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Canadian Diabetes Foundation
- The Chevan Sickle Cell Society
- Cerebral Palsy Association
- Cops With Cancer
- Cross Cancer Institute
- Canadian Red Cross
- Dental Health Month
- Eating Disorder Education Organization
- Emergency Response Department
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- Huntington's Society
- Kidney Foundation of Canada
- Kids with Cancer
- Lupus Society of Alberta
- Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Osteoporosis Society of Canada
- Parkinson Society of Alberta
- Royal Alex Hospital
- Schizophrenia Society of Alberta
- Stars
- Winnifred Stewart Association
EDUCATION
- Adult Education Centre
- Alberta College
- Alex Taylor School
- Alix Max School
- Archbishop High School
- Archbishop Jordon High School
- Assumption School
- Balwin Junior High School
- Belgravia School
- Blessed Kateri School Council
- Britannia School
- Canadian Parents for French
- Cardinal Leger Catholic School
- Career College
- Dan Knott Junior High School
- D.S. MacKenzie School
- Duffield Community School
- Ecole Bellevue School
- Ecole Elementaire Queen Street School
- Ecole Mountain School
- Ellersie Elementary School
- Elmwood Elementary School
- FR. Haythrone School
- George H. Luck School
- George P. Vanier School
- Glen Allen School
- Good Sheppard Elementary School
- Graminia Community School
- Grant McEwan Community College
- Grandview Heights School
- Griesbach School
- Guthrie School
- Harry Ainley
- H.E. Beariult Catholic School
- Hillcrest Junior High School
- Hilltop High School
- Holy Family Catholic School
- Holy Trinity Community High School
- Inglewood Elementary School
- James Gibbons Elementary School
- J.H. Picard School
- John Maland High School
- John Paul I Catholic School
- Katherine Thierrien School
- Killarney Junior High School
- Laurier Heights School
- Leduc Composite High School
- Lynnwood Elementary School
- Mary Butterworth
- Mayfield School Early Education
- Mecca Glen School
- Morinville Community High School
- Mount Carmel School
- Namao School
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Notre Dame School
- Oliver School
- Parkview School
- Patricia Heights School
- Peace River School
- Prince Charles School
- Queen Elizabeth School
- Queen Mary Park School
- Robert Rundle High School
- Ross Sheppard High School
- Rudolph Hennig School
- Rundle School
- St. Alphonses Catholic School
- St. Benedict Catholic School
- St. Joseph High School
- St. Matthew Lutheran School
- St. Thomas More Catholic Junior High School
- St. Timothy Community School
- St. Vincent School
- Saskatoon Christian School
- S. Bruce Smith School
- Stony Plain Central School
- Strathcona Composite High School
- Sturgeon Composite High School
- Sweet Grass School
- Terra School
- Thorncliffe Elementary School
- Thorsby Junior and Senior High School
- University of Alberta
- Vernon Barford Junior High School
- Vincent J. Maloney Catholic School
- West Hosford School
- West Mount Junior High School
- William D. Cuts Community School
SERVICES
- Bissell Centre
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Catholic Social Services
- Community Services
- Edmonton Firefighters
- Edmonton Police Service
- Edmonton Women's Shelter
- Family and Social Services
- Gibbons Fire Department
- Junior Achievement
- Metis Child & Family Services
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police Victim Services Units
- Volunteer Centre of Edmonton
- Wetaskiwin Youth Center
SPORTS & ASSOCIATIONS
- Alberta Deaf Sports Association
- Archbishop O'Leary Council Knights of Columbus
- Ardrossan Minor Hockey Association
- Bon Accord Atom "A" Hockey
- Calahoo Prenovice Hockey Association
- Calmar Hockey Association
- Devon Ringette
- Edmonton Kyokushin Karate Club
- Fort Saskatchewan Minor Hockey Association
- Garrison Thunderbolts
- Joesphburg Minor Hockey Association
- Lamount Minor Hockey Association
- Leduc & District Minor Football
- Manning Minor Hockey Association
- Millwoods Minor Hockey Association
- Morinville Minor Hockey Association
- New Sarepta & District Association
- Oldtimers Hockey Challenge Association
- Onoway Minor Hockey Association
- Paralympic Sports Association
- Ringette Alberta
- Sherwood Park Pee Wee B Hockey
- Spruce Grove Minor Ball
- Spruce Grove Minor Hockey
- St. Albert Atom "AA Hockey
- Thorsby Minor Hockey Association
- Warburg Minor Hockey Association
- West Edmonton Ballet Academy
- Wetaskiwin Hockey Association
- Whitemud West Broncos