Tim MacDonald is a businessperson and philanthropist. After studying English and Political Science at Carleton University, Tim joined Ideal Supply in 1981, a Listowel, Ontario based wholesale distribution business owned by his family. He was appointed president in 1995, CEO in 2001, and retired from the company in June 2021.

Under his leadership Ideal Supply grew to 31 locations, 525 employees and was recognized for nine consecutive years as one of “Canada’s Best Managed Companies”. Tim and his siblings sold Ideal Supply to Groupe Deschenes Inc in 2016.

Tim has served on and Chaired several Boards, including the Listowel Chamber of Commerce (President), the Electro-Federation Canada (Chair), the Stratford Festival, TigerTel Communications (Chair), the Young President’s Organization (Chair), the Stratford Perth Community Foundation (Chair), and currently the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
He has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws (2005), the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow (2018), the Stratford Business Leader of the Year (2019), and has been appointed to the Order of Canada (2019).

In 2011 Tim and Jim Balsillie co-founded the Arctic Research Foundation which supported Parks Canada in their successful search for the lost Franklin Ships. Today ARF leads numerous projects in Canada’s north from five vessels enabling universities, government agencies, and northern communities to study and adapt to a changing world (ArcticFocus.org).
A lifelong supporter of local conservation projects, in 2019 Tim initiated the Middle Maitland Restoration Fund, managed by the Stratford Perth Community Foundation, to support the work of Maitland Conservation in their work to restore the river, its banks, and the streams that flow into it.
Tim has hiked in every province of Canada, fished rivers and lakes from Coast to Coast to Coast and spends any available time in the outdoors enjoying nature.

Since the Stratford Perth Community Foundation’s founding, Tim has believed it is the most effective vehicle for philanthropy in our region and has initiated and supported several funds.

He and his wife Alexandra live in Stratford.