Entrepreneur Surjit Babra and his wife Remy Babra invest $1 million in School of Medicine

Born in India and raised both in India and Kenya, Surjit Babra grew up witnessing his parents’ generosity, often coming home from school to find his favourite clothes donated to students in need. This spirit of giving, rooted in his Sikh faith, has guided Babra throughout his 50-plus years as a successful serial entrepreneur. As chairman and CEO of SkyLink Capital Corp., he continues to uphold these charitable principles to improve the lives of others. 

“I am blessed to have earned the money to give and I’m blessed to have the will to give,” said Babra, who, with his wife Remy, donated $1 million to help establish Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) new School of Medicine in Brampton.

This will be the first new medical school built in the Greater Toronto Area in more than a century, and will contribute to addressing the shortage of primary care physicians in Ontario. Without this increased capacity, the province is projected to face a shortfall of 12,200 physicians by 2030.

“I believe everyone has the right to a doctor, and yet not everyone has one,” said Babra. “With our aging population and a limited number of new doctors, investing in medical students is crucial.”

The Babra family’s generous contribution will be recognized with the creation of the Surjit and Remy Babra Classroom. This 125-seat Active Learning Classroom, the largest in the School of Medicine, is designed to foster innovative, engaging and interactive learning experiences. 

“Surjit and Remy have identified a vital need in our communities, and I am grateful for their partnership in addressing it,” said Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor of TMU. “Their investment will support a new generation of doctors who are culturally aware, technologically adept, and prepared to transform our health-care system.”

From factory worker to philanthropist

Surjit Babra’s journey began when he moved from India to the U.K. as a student. His first job was in a factory, where he quickly rose to become a supervisor within six months due to his hard work, intelligence and passion for learning.

He later became an apprentice at a travel agency but, after facing poor treatment from the owner, he decided to start his own agency in 1972. Named Sunbeam Travels, it grew to five offices in Europe before expanding to eight regional offices across Canada and the U.S., with the first opening in Toronto in 1979.

“I’m grateful to Canada for the opportunity to succeed here, and it’s important for me to give back,” said Babra. In Toronto, he met and married his wife Remy, with whom he has three children — Gagandeep, Manpreet and Pritpal. Manpreet graduated from TMU’s marketing management program in 2011.

Under the SkyLink Travel Group umbrella, Babra expanded his ventures to include numerous award-winning travel, aviation and transportation companies, including Dollar Rent-A-Car. He partnered with three other business partners to save 250 jobs by purchasing an Ontario food processing plant on the brink of closure, which now employs over 600 people as Highbury Canco Corp. 

In 1991, Babra became the first Sikh to own an airline. SkyLink Aviation, co-founded with Walter Arbib, provided international air charter and leasing services, donated medical supplies to war-torn regions, and supported organizations such as the United Nations, the Red Cross and the Canadian Armed Forces. In 1996, Babra and Arbib, along with Dan Rocheleau, established SkyLink Express, an air cargo carrier service in Canada that started with only one plane and grew to become one of the largest Beech 1900 aircraft operators in Canada.  

Though Babra and Arbib eventually sold their interests in SkyLink Aviation in 2008, SkyLink Travel Group in 2011, and SkyLink Express in 2019, they continued their passion for business by investing in other ventures.

Additionally, Babra’s SkyLink Children’s Charity has championed children’s causes in Canada, India, Haiti and beyond. 

“In giving, we receive — there is pleasure in giving,” said Babra, citing the inspiration of his parents, in combination with the Sikh tenet of “seva” or selfless service. For his service, Babra has received numerous accolades, including the Mother Teresa Humanitarian Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Babra’s gift to establish the Surjit and Remy Babra Classroom will “enable students to learn more collaboratively and enhance the exchange of knowledge,” he said. “You don’t only learn from professors; you learn from colleagues and everyone around you — like I have throughout my career. The new School of Medicine will be one of the best environments for studying in North America.”

The School of Medicine at Toronto Metropolitan University opens in July 2025.