Who is Patrick Clelland Allen?

Patrick Clelland Allen is a Canadian businessman, film producer, and political activist who is best known as the founder of Canucks Sports & Entertainment (CSE) and the Vancouver Canucks hockey team.

Early life and career:

- Allen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on March 15, 1948.

- He attended the University of British Columbia, where he studied commerce and was active in student politics.

- After graduating, he worked as an accountant and then as an investment banker.

Founding the Vancouver Canucks:

- In 1970, Allen was part of a group of businessmen who purchased theVancouver Canucks hockey team, which was then playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

- He became the team's general manager and president and helped lead the Canucks to their first WHL championship in 1975.

- In 1977, Allen negotiated the sale of the Canucks to theNational Hockey League (NHL), making them the 18th franchise in the league.

Canucks Sports & Entertainment:

- In 1986, Allen founded Canucks Sports & Entertainment, a holding company that owns and operates the Vancouver Canucks, the Vancouver Grizzlies basketball team (now defunct), and various other sports and entertainment properties.

- Allen served as the CEO of CSE until 2010 when he stepped down and became the company's chairman.

Political Activism:

- Allen is a prominent political activist. He has supported a variety of political parties, including the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada, and the New Democratic Party.

- In 1988, he was appointed to the Canadian Senate as an Independent by then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

- He served in the Senate until 2012 when he resigned amid controversy over the Senate expenses scandal.

Other Business Ventures:

- In addition to his work with the Canucks and CSE, Allen has also been involved in various other business ventures.

- He is the founder and chairman of Allen Investments, a private investment firm.

- He has also served on the boards of directors of several public companies, including Canadian Pacific Railway, Loblaw Companies, and the Bank of Nova Scotia.

Philanthropy:

- Allen is a well-known philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes.

- He has established the Patrick and Anna-Marie Cleland Allen Foundation, which supports a variety of educational and health care initiatives.

- He is also a major supporter of the Vancouver Art Gallery and the University of British Columbia.