Weston and Thomson Families Join Forces in $18M Bid for Hudson’s Bay Charter

 

The 1670 royal charter signed by King Charles II establishing Hudson's Bay, is shown on display at the Manitoba Museum where it was loaned to be displayed alongside its permanent collection of Hudson's Bay artifacts.

Two of Canada’s most prominent families, the Westons and the Thomsons, have joined forces to make an $18 million bid for one of the country’s most historic documents: the 1670 Royal Charter of the Hudson’s Bay Company. The charter, signed by King Charles II, is widely regarded as the founding document of what became one of North America’s most influential trading enterprises and later a retail giant.

Holding companies controlled by David Thomson, Canada’s wealthiest individual and head of Thomson Reuters, and the Weston family, known for their ownership of Loblaw Companies Limited, submitted the joint offer late last week. Their bid surpasses earlier individual offers—Thomson’s $15 million and the Westons’ $12.5 million—and represents a united effort to secure the artifact’s future.

The families have pledged that, if successful, the charter will not remain in private hands. Instead, it will be donated under a shared custodianship model to four public institutions: the Archives of Manitoba, the Manitoba Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Hudson’s Bay Company History Foundation. This arrangement is designed to ensure that the document, which symbolizes both Canada’s colonial past and its commercial evolution, remains accessible to the public and preserved for future generations.

The Hudson’s Bay Company, once a fur-trading empire that claimed vast territories across Canada, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including store closures and restructuring efforts. The bid for its founding charter comes at a time when the company’s legacy is being reassessed, and its historical significance is being highlighted amid modern struggles.

By combining resources, the Weston and Thomson families are not only making a powerful financial statement but also reinforcing their role as custodians of Canadian heritage. Their collaboration underscores the importance of preserving artifacts that shaped the nation’s identity, while also reflecting the enduring influence of Canada’s wealthiest dynasties.

In short: The Weston and Thomson families have teamed up to bid $18 million for the Hudson’s Bay Company’s 1670 Royal Charter, with plans to donate it to Canadian institutions for public preservation.