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THE NATIONAL REVEALS CANADA'S NEW RICH AND POWERFUL--AND IT'S NOT WHO YOU THINK

Two-part series airs Sunday, March 6 and 13

There was “old money,” and later, the “nouveau riche”—descriptors for the upper crust, blessed with the kind of wealth and power that gives them a lifestyle most of us can only dream about. Many were born rich; others built their own success in established “blue chip” sectors of the economy.

These days, things are different. There are still rich and powerful Canadians—many of them with more money, power and influence than ever before—but who they are, and how they got there, bear little resemblance to their high society predecessors.

In a special two-part series on THE NATIONAL, Sunday, March 6 and 13, Wendy Mesley reveals the inside story on Canada’s new rich and powerful—the big money, powerful jobs and wave-making decisions that have the world watching Canada’s new power elite. Who are they? How did they make their money? And just what are they doing with it?

Part One - Sunday, March 6
Canada’s New Rich and Powerful - Canadians abroad
As the world’s economy slowly grips for stability, many companies are turning to Canadians to lead them into success. In a series of reports, THE NATIONAL introduces you to Canadians from small towns and cities making a big impression in international posts. From the heads of multi-national companies, to the Canadian who is now one of the U.K.‘s most highly paid civil servants, see how the Canadian way is spreading around the world through these very successful citizens.

Part Two - Sunday, March 13
Canada’s New Rich and Powerful - Canadians at home
Canada is seeing a boom in luxury: $20 million mansions; pricey cars and luxury retail. So who’s buying this stuff? And where are they getting all their money? It’s not who you may think. Mesley takes us inside the lives of Canada’s billionaire club: how they make their money, and the surprising ways they are using it to wield power.
THE NATIONAL airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. (10:30 NT) on CBC-TV; 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBC News Network.

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