Irving Schwartz is founder and CEO of Schwartz and Company Limited, a successful furniture and
retail business based in Sydney, and a committed philanthropist.
Described as the quintessential entrepreneur, Schwartz’s business instincts and willingness
to take risks have resulted in an impressive record of personal and corporate success. Following
in the entrepreneurial footsteps of his parents, Schwartz has led more than 30 companies during
his career.
After completing grade 11, Schwartz left high school to attend courses at Mount Allison
University and New York University. Upon his return to Cape Breton, he became a manager in
his parents’ New Waterford general merchandising store. In 1955, at the age of 26, Schwartz
became the President and General Manager of Schwartz and Company. Over the next 30 years, he
streamlined the business, focusing on furniture and appliances, and grew the company to include
five outlets across Atlantic Canada.
Schwartz was also busy investing in local and national endeavours.
He opened his first nursing home in Sydney and amalgamated with a Calgary company to form
VillaCentres Limited. Together they built nine nursing homes across the country. In 1970,
Schwartz helped develop an oyster farm at the Eskasoni Reserve. Four years later, he managed
a trout farm for the Cape Breton Development Corporation.
In 1979, along with 20 of his colleagues and friends, Schwartz formed Cape Breton’s first
cable company, Seaside Cable TV Ltd. In 1985, he became sole owner of the company. Other successful
endeavours included a bakery in Halifax, a cheesecake factory in Point Edward, and a travel agency in
Glace Bay
Known for his honesty and concern for the well-being of others, Schwartz’s proudest achievements
stem from his family life and his extensive humanitarian and community service. Starting as
an active member of the New Waterford Volunteer Fire Department for 12 years, Schwartz has also
served as President of the Children’s Aid Society, President of the Lions’ Club, Chairman of
the University College of Cape Breton, co-founder of Junior Achievement in Cape Breton, Director
of the National Theatre School of Canada, advisory board member of the Dalhousie School of
Business, and Chairman of the Cape Breton Chapter of the Hebrew University.
He co-founded the Canadian International Demining Corps (CIDC), a charitable, non-government
organization supportive of an international ban on the production, stockpiling and deployment
of anti-personnel landmines. Headquarted in Sydney, it has provided humanitarian mine action
services in Bosnia, Mozambique, Kosovo and Jordan. Schwartz was honoured with the Order of
Canada in 1998.
Today, Schwartz continues to preside over a diverse group of Cape Breton companies and
investments. He is an active member of the business and arts communities as Director of the
Canadian Cable Small Systems Association, board member of the National Capital Commission,
Nova Scotia Community College, and of Ocean Nutrition Canada, Ltd.
Schwartz is married to Diana Usher and has four children, Margo, Joanne, David and
Stephanie.
Irving Schwartz, along with Hugh Erskine and Alexander Keith, was inducted into the
Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame on June 11, 2003.
