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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE -5 QUESTIONS EXCLUSIVE: BRETT WILSON AND SARA KOPAMEES TALK INVESTING IN CANADA, FOR CANADIANSCIO IS PLEASED to present an interview with Brett Wilson, Canadian investor and philanthropist, six years after his rst interview for Canadian In- dustry, launching CIO’s very rst edi- tion. Wilson is Chairman of Prairie Merchant Corporation, his investment entity focused on energy, agriculture, real estate, sports, and entertainment industries, and is a former Dragon from CBC’s Dragon’s Den.What are the causes you’re cur- rently passionate about and support- ing? You’ve been an advocate of men- tal health awareness, is that something you are continuing to support?Over the last 10 years, I’ve decided that adolescent mental health deserves a good deal of my attention. Right now I’m involved in 9 different causes, that are all in various ways related to adoles- cent mental health: from eating disor- ders, to an aboriginal group that I fund, I support a wide range of things. I be- lieve that the future of our planet is tied to our children and we need to educate and empower youth. We’ve also been involved in human traf cking initiatives and programs, we have military causes,we’re not short of places to support.What about investments? You have a diverse portfolio—any new ar- eas for investing?I’m invested in energy, power, oil and gas, coal, and I’ve always been ac- tive in those spaces. I’ve also always been active in real estate: from ranch- ing to condo towers. Of course, I’m also invested in a hockey team which has been an extraordinary experience given the success of the team both on and off the ice.In addition, in the last couple of years I’ve been investing in cannabis. I believe that there is a legitimate role for cannabis in Canada in the medical system and recreationally.You are a huge proponent of“I’m invested in energy, power, oil and gas, coal, and I’ve always been active in those spaces.”DECEMBER 2015Brett Wilson8 | Canadian Industry Online | February, 2018