[1] The family was headed by Scottish born James Dergavel Irving, known by J.D., who founded the lumber business J. D.
[1] The tax affairs of the family were reported on by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists after making their way into the public domain via the release of the Paradise Papers.
[1] James Dergavel Irving started the family business empire by opening a gas station in Bouctouche.
Since then the range of businesses owned has grown to over 250 located throughout Canada and the United States.
In 2017, the various petrochemical, logistics, retail, and media companies were estimated to be worth $10 billion.