All four Rogers children have now filed objections in court to the “excessive” $11 million claimed as compensation by trustees of their mother’s multimillion dollar estate — the latest public conflict atop one of Canada’s most powerful families.
Edward Rogers and Lisa Rogers have filed formal notices of objection in the estate branch of the Superior Court of Justice, calling the fees “neither fair nor reasonable,” while Melinda Rogers and Martha Rogers opted to serve the trustees directly to keep the matter private.
The family’s late matriarch, Loretta Rogers, appointed Kilmer Group founder Larry Tanenbaum, former Deloitte partner Mary Filippelli, and former chief human resources officer for Rogers Communications, Jim Reid, as trustees to her $250 million fortune following her death in 2022.
According to executor timesheets, the trustees spent more than 2,650 combined hours administering the estate between 2022 and 2024 and billed about $11 million in fees — though the estate has not been fully settled yet and the compensation claimed could continue to grow.
Edward and his lawyers estimated the fees worked out to $3,557 an hour, plus an additional $438 (U.S.) an hour to handle American assets.
Since the parties could not agree on the trustees’ compensation, they sought a law’s guidance in a 15-minute appearance in court Wednesday morning.
According to an endorsement signed by Justice Bernadette Dietrich and filed the same day, the beneficiaries and trustees are “still hoping to resolve the contentious issues,” even agreeing on a mediator to settle the dispute. However, the mediator they chose was “not able to mediate,” the endorsement said.
The parties said they will try to agree on an alternative negotiator by the end of May, or return to the court for further guidance.
According to the endorsement, the trustees argued that Melinda and Martha must file their objections with the courts, adding that they should only have to respond to objectors who complied with the Rules of Civil Procedure. Dietrich chose not to rule on the point during the appearance with no evidentiary record before her.
She added if the parties cannot agree, the trustees could introduce a motion to help settle the matter. All the parties agreed they would set a litigation timetable for the dispute, so it can be heard by video in the coming months.
The trustees calculated the compensation sum by applying a 2.5 per cent fee — a guideline often used in the administration of Ontario estates — to Loretta’s assets, which the beneficiaries have disputed as “excessive” given the size of the holdings.
Edward’s objection also singles out Tanenbaum, arguing that he should receive no compensation at all because he contributed about five per cent of the total hours spent managing the estate, leading Edward to claim he “delegated” his responsibilities to the other trustees.
Loretta’s only son also challenged in court a $14.5 million expense for executor liability insurance, despite the will explicitly allowing such a purchase. According to the filing, the estate’s existing legal protections already mitigate most risks, making insurance unnecessary.
None of the accusations have been tested in court and the trustees have not publicly responded to Edward’s notice of objection yet.
Loretta spent decades as a director with Rogers Communications with her husband Ted Rogers who founded the company in 1960 and died in 2008.
Through her will, she left equal portions of her registered plans to her three daughters, while the rest of her assets and property would be divided amongst the siblings.
Loretta’s will also includes provisions protecting trustees from liability — including any legal actions involving her son, Edward. It also contains an anti-litigation clause that warns if any of her beneficiaries challenge the validity of any of her will’s provisions, they would no longer be entitled to her assets and property.
The disagreement is the latest chapter in a complicated relationship between Edward and Tanenbaum, with business interests overlapping significantly in professional sports.
Tanenbaum’s company, Kilmer Sports, a division of Kilmer Group, holds a 25 per cent stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), while Rogers Communications owns 75 per cent. Both men sit on the MLSE board. Tanenbaum currently owns 80 per cent of Kilmer Sports, giving him an effective 20 per cent personal stake in MLSE.
This latest dispute also recalls earlier infighting within the Rogers family.
In 2021, Edward faced opposition from his sisters and mother — who personally moved the motion to remove her son as chair Rogers Communications — in a high-profile battle over control of the company, which ultimately played out in court and ended in his favour.
