Helping History Innovators Shine

It’s at the heart of the company’s mission in philanthropy: “Power Corporation’s overarching objective in our charitable giving, quite simply, is to help make Canada better. We are passionate about Canada, its history and geography, its art, its bilingual, diverse culture, its democratic traditions, and its social cohesion,” its website states.

To put it another way, says Paul Genest, “We see it as our responsibility to give to the communities in which we do business, and also to support national institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum, the National Arts Centre, and of course Canada’s History Society. They all speak to our history and to how we project ourselves into the future as more informed, creative citizens.” 

Power Corporation puts its mission into action as the sponsor of our gala reception celebrating the laureates of the Governor General’s History Awards. This November’s events in Winnipeg mark Power’s fourth year of support for this special evening to spotlight the work of outstanding teachers, historians, museum workers and community members. “I can tell these people are selected very thoughtfully,” Paul says. “It’s our job to celebrate them and help them feel proud about what they’re doing.”

“The awards reflect the kinds of values that matter to us. The teachers and other recipients bring such creativity to their subject matter and to fresh interpretations of our history. They are driven by passion — they want to share their knowledge and they care about our next generation thriving,” he says. “This is so healthy, and it deepens our capacity to be good citizens who understand and love our country and can make a difference.”

Power Corporation also strongly supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, he adds, noting that Canada’s History Society and the national institutions are all working to weave new understandings into everything they do. “History is not a static thing, and it’s not just about the past. Different interpretations come to light, deepened values can come to the fore, we gain new understanding and respect for people who weren’t included before.”

Having done his doctoral work in ancient Greek philosophy, Paul knows the importance of engaging with the past. After returning from abroad to take on a position as a policy analyst in Ottawa in the early nineties, he soon realized he needed to further his own knowledge. “I immersed myself in Canadian history, and I’ve never looked back. I always have a history book on my bedside table.”  

His wide-ranging interests have served Paul well over a varied career in the business, the federal government, and academia. Named Chair of the Board of the National Gallery of Canada in May 2024, he is also a champion of diversity and a dedicated volunteer with organizations devoted to the environment and the arts. 

When asked what he’d say to someone from another business considering supporting history and culture in general and Canada’s History Society in particular, Paul laughs and says, “See above!”, then emphasizes the role donors can play. “Private philanthropy in support of culture and the arts is so important in this country. Personally, I see it as good for the soul and vital for the thriving of civil society.”