The Phelan Feud: The Bitter Struggle for Control of the Family Firm

by Stephen Kimber

This book, by award-winning writer Stephen Kimber, takes readers behind the scenes of an epic family feud inside one of Canada’ s wealthiest families. The Phelans owned Cara Operations and its many popular restaurant chains, including Harvey’ s and Swiss Chalet. Trouble began when family patriarch Paul James Phelan refused to yield control to the next generation. What followed pitted brother against sisters, against father in boardrooms and courtrooms. You might be surprised to know who won this generational war. Phelan v Phelan is a must-read for anyone interested in the challenges of succession — and survival — in a family company. And for anyone intrigued to read a real-life version of Succession.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published June 20, 2024

About the author

STEPHEN KIMBER, a Professor of Journalism at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Canada and co-founder of King's MFA in Creative Nonfiction program, is an award-winning writer, editor and broadcaster.

His two most recent books include a novel — The Sweetness in the Lime (Nimbus, 2020) — and a work of nonfiction, Alexa! Changing the Face of Canadia Politics (Goose Lane, 2021).

Alexa is the biography of iconic Canadian feminist political leader Alexa McDonough.

Sweetness is a love story set in Havana, Halifax and Miami. It tells the story of Eli, a resolutely single, fiftysomething newspaper copy editor who spends his nights obsessing over reporters’ unnecessary “thats” and his days caring for a demented father he knows should be in twenty-four-hour care. Then, on a single day, he loses his job and his father dies. He ends up adrift in Cuba where he falls in love with Mariela, an off-the-books Havana tour guide. But does Eli really fall for Mariela or just for the idea of her? And does she actually love him, or is he just her ticket to a better life. They both have secrets they’re not willing to share until they have no choice. The Sweetness in the Lime is "a charming, clever novel that peels back the rind to discover there really is sweetness in the lime of life."

Kimber is also the author of ten other books, including another novel, Reparations (HarperCollins, 2006), and eight non-fiction titles — What Lies Across the Water: The Real Story of the Cuban Five (Fernwood 2013); IWK: A Century of Caring (Nimbus 2009); Loyalists and Layabouts: The Rapid Rise and Faster Fall of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, 1783-1792 (Doubleday 2008); Sailors, Slackers and Blind Pigs: Halifax at War (Doubleday 2002); NOT GUILTY: The Trial of Gerald Regan (Stoddart 1999); Flight 111: The Tragedy of the Swissair Crash (Doubleday 1999); More Than Just Folks (Pottersfield 1996); and Net Profits (Nimbus 1990). He is also co-author of the book The Spirit of Africville (Formac 1992) and the most recent updated edition of Thomas Raddall’s classic Halifax: Warden of the North (Nimbus 2010).

Since 1983, he has taught journalism at the University of King’s College, where he specializes in creative nonfiction. From 1996 to 2003 and in 2007-08 and 2013-14, he was Director of the School of Journalism.

In 2001, he completed a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction degree at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD.

He and his wife, Jeanie Steinbock Kimber, live in Halifax. They have three grown children.

Reviews

[Lisa Thomson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains interesting Canadian business history. The Phelan business was started in 1892 by PJ Phelan children's great grandfather. The book is full of historic details in the first half. The Phelan feud, however, was not as intriguing as I had thought it would be. There are no court cases or ensuing decisions, nor are there jaw dropping family drama. Mainly a lot of threats and letters and a feud that centered around PJ's preferred shares, property, and a creation of a shareholder's agreement.
A family tree would have been a really nice visual reference or even a business chart to follow the changes of Cara Holdings from PJ's era to the sisters' current structure. In addition, family photos would also have been a nice touch. All in all, I liked it and found it to be an interesting bit of Canadian business history. And I am impressed with the sisters’ tenacity amidst family conflict.

[Tom]

It seems like a very strange family but you could have a very similar story with the Canadian Tire family, Shermans, Irwins, Eatons etc. etc.

This book could be sub-titled Drunks, Entitlement and Immaturity. There is a whole lot of nasty behavior and if this is what rich means, I don't want it. Oh my goodness - these people would go to any lengths to screw each other. I think in many cases, once the founder gets to the end of the reign, sell the business and split the money. As I read in the Eaton book - the founder has the ideas and builds the business - the next generation holds on and the third generation turns it into a free fall.

My disappointment with this book is around how little the business is discussed. How did Swiss Chalet come into the family - who was involved from the family etc. Instead, the book almost totally focuses on the infighting and politics.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this examination of the human cost of family infighting over succession. The book brought the characters to life and explained the difficulties involved in running a competitive company even without the pressures brought about by sibling infighting. Saddest of all, is how toxic family situations can prevent the bonding of cousins and loving attachments to family members. When a son and his Mother get into legal disputes, it becomes particularly tragic. In the end, the big winners in such situations are usually the lawyers. A fascinating book, and a well-told chronicle in Canadian business history.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book appealed to me because I am a fan of long-form journalism. The cover hints at an epic family drama, but that is not what you will get out of this book. You will get some interesting, personal, but mostly journalistic, insights into the history of business in Toronto. The writing mechanics don’t always flow and there are several grammatical errors or typos throughout the book. My only critique of the content is that the sources of information mostly came from one side of the “feud,” but the author acknowledges this and I don’t think that the bias is enough to cause a radically different conclusion. Overall, this was an enjoyable read during my subway train rides in Toronto.

[Claudette Germain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story and strong sisters that lived through a nightmare of family dynamics. Coming from an inclusive family, it was hard to see so much fighting and nasty behaviours in this family!