Hong Kong billionaire’s $25 million benefits St. Mike’s

For those tired of coverage of the “99 per cent,” here’s a story about a man in the top 0.000000002 per cent.

Part of his domain stretches into Canada, although he still lives in Hong Kong.

“I have been friend of Canada for over 40 years now — I am certain it is a friendship that will continue long into the future,” Li said in a speech at the hospital luncheon. He was not available for questions from the media.

Not only does Li hold a majority share of the oil company Husky Energy, but his sons Victor and Richard are Canadian citizens and are active in business here.

In 2003, Victor Li even made an offer to buy Air Canada, amid questions about whether Li was “Canadian enough” to own a large part of the company. The bid eventually soured because of lengthy union negotiations.

Li’s charitable foundation has donated nearly $59 million to Canadian universities and medical organizations since 1993. He donated an additional $16 million through Husky Energy.

The Canadian chapter of Li’s foundation was established with the proceeds from the sale of Li’s CIBC shares for $1.2 billion in January 2005, according to the foundation.

Former CIBC CEO John Hunkin, who left the company in summer 2005, has sat on the board of Li’s foundation since its inception. In November of that year, the foundation announced its grant to St. Michael’s.

Hunkin, who also sits on the board of St. Michael’s foundation, said Li was looking for “great opportunities” for the Canadian branch of his foundation.

When St. Michael’s sent a proposal for the new building and research centre, it was approved.

“Mr. Li is really a global philanthropist,” Hunkin said, noting that Li is to receive a Carnegie medal of philanthropy. He is off to occupy New York, the original home of the protests.

FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ‘SUPERMAN’ LI KA-SHING

1. He is notorious for projecting a modest lifestyle — he wore a $50 Citizen wristwatch for most of the 1990s.

2. He knows CPR. He did a demonstration at St. Michael's Hospital on Tuesday.

3. His son, Richard Li, is a bit of a rebel — he and actress Isabella Leong were paparazzi favourites as they had three children outside of marriage before they split this year.

4. He bought Vancouver's Expo 86 lands for a mere $320 million in 1988. That led to a scandal when he sold condos on it to predominantly Asian buyers.

5. His son, Victor Li, vacationed in the Canadian Rockies as a teenager.