One of the most influential entrepreneurs in Ottawa’s history received the city’s highest honour — the Key to the City — from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe on Tuesday night.

Terry Matthews was presented the symbolic gift during the monthly TechTuesday event, hosted by his company, Wesley Clover International, and held at his hotel, Brookstreet, in Kanata.

Attendees included MP Jenna Sudds, MPP Karen McCrimmon, Ottawa city councillors Cathy Curry and Allan Hubley, and Scott Phelan from Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office.

Terry Matthews, seated in the front row, listens quietly while being introduced by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe prior to being called on stage to receive the Key to the City. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Born in Newport, Wales, Matthews moved to Canada in his 20s and, over the next five decades, built and backed a “staggering” roster of companies, including telecom giants Mitel and Newbridge Networks. “Terry is the very definition of a serial entrepreneur,” said the mayor.

“Imagine Ottawa if Terry had never chosen to live here, never chosen to start a business here, never chosen to spend his life investing in our city,” said Sutcliffe. The very thought almost made the beautiful hotel around the attendees start to fade away.

There was never any question Matthews — who’s been awarded a British knighthood and Canada’s highest civilian honour, an Order of Canada — is the most deserving recipient of the Key to the City, said Sutcliffe while the audience applauded enthusiastically in agreement.

The hard part was getting Matthews to accept, he continued. “Terry has said many times that he doesn’t like the spotlight; he wants the focus to be on his companies and on Ottawa, and I certainly admire that,” said the mayor.

Matthews is now part of an exclusive group of key holders that includes famous athletes and performing artists.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe spoke about the impact serial entrepreneur Terry Matthews has had on Ottawa before presenting him with the Key to the City, the city’s highest honour. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa serial technology entrepreneur Terry Matthews received the Key to the City during a TechTuesday networking event at the Brookstreet Hotel for the local high-tech community. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The mayor credited Matthews for his billions of dollars in investment, the many thousands of jobs his companies have created and the “immeasurable” impact that he’s had on the economy. Moreover, his Wesley Clover Foundation has donated tens of millions to local charitable causes, Sutcliffe added.

While Terry’s contributions can easily be measured in companies, innovations and economic growth, he’s also put a little zip into Ottawa, the audience was told. “Terry is audacious. He dreams big. He thinks big. He thinks internationally. He has had global impact right here in Ottawa and, as a result, Ottawa has had global impact.

“Terry has inspired us, he has elevated us, he has demanded, of all of us, to think beyond what Ottawa is today and imagine what it could be in the future.

“Over the last 50 years, he has seen the potential of Ottawa in ways almost no one else has. He has invested in our city and has been a tremendous champion of our city.”

Terry Matthews, left, and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at Brookstreet Hotel on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for the presentation of the Key to the City to Matthews. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Sutcliffe described Matthews as persistent and imperturbable (perhaps he can thank his former career in radio for how easily the latter word rolled off his tongue).

“There is no one like Terry. There is no one who matches his energy or his vision, there is no one that can keep up with his knowledge of technology, there is no one who tells stories like Terry,” said the mayor, expressing his gratitude to Matthews for making Ottawa his home and for helping to create Canada’s largest technology hub.

“Kanata North would not be Kanata North without Terry Matthews. Ottawa would not be Ottawa without Terry Matthews.”

During his thank-you remarks, Matthews spoke entirely off the cuff, using a few props to illustrate his early days in technology.

He shared the story behind his company’s name, Wesley Clover, a Kanata-based private global investment management firm specializing in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. It comes from a church in Wales and a four-leaf clover he found there as a kid. “My grandmother pressed it into the family Bible, and it’s still there,” he said.

Matthews circled back to the word imperturbable as a reminder to stay calm, even when it’s hard to do so. “Don’t get excited, don’t get upset. Stay on track and be persistent, and that’s what I do.”

The octogenarian also emphasized that he has no plans to retire. “I love what I do, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Terry Matthews, chairman of Wesley Clover International, with his daughter, Karen Sparks, executive director of Wesley Clover Parks, and her son, Brecon, named after a town in Wales, at the Key to the City ceremony held during TechTuesday at Matthews’ Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Rod Price, vice president of strategic partnerships at Wesley Clover International; March Networks president and CEO Peter Strom; former Mitel executive vice president Don Smith, executive advisor at Wesley Clover; and Nyle Kelly, general manager and executive vice president at Brookstreet Hotel and general manager of Marshes Golf Club. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Scott Phelan from Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office, Ottawa Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder, and Terry Matthews, chairman of Wesley Clover International, prior to Matthews’ Key to the City ceremony. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Wesley Clover International chief marketing officer Veronica Farmer, chairman Terry Matthews and Sonya Shorey, president and CEO at Invest Ottawa, prior to Matthews’ Key to the City ceremony. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Terry Matthews, seen with family members and local politicians Karen McCrimmon, Jenna Sudds, Allan Hubley and Cathy Curry at his Key to the City ceremony held during TechTuesday. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Sueling Ching, president and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, and Ottawa entrepreneur Terry Matthews after the mayor presented Matthews with the Key to the City. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ten-year-old Brecon Sparks with his mom, Karen Sparks, executive director of Wesley Clover Parks, LaBarge Weinstein LLP co-founder and partner Debbie Weinstein, and Hailie Couves. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, right, shares a supportive moment with Terry Matthews after presenting one of Ottawa’s leading serial entrepreneurs with the Key to the City, the city’s highest honour. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, and Brazeau Seller Law.
hello@carolineinthecapital.ca