OTTAWA — Nigel Wright, who served as chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper, has died at 62,
according to Onex Corporation, where he worked
for most of his adult life.
Wright worked for Harper from 2010 to 2013 and found himself ensnared in a Senate expense scandal when it was revealed that he had personally re-paid $90,000 in expense claims to Mike Duffy, a Conservative senator at the time.
Harper said that he and wife Laureen were “shocked and heartbroken” to learn of Wright’s “sudden passing”
“A unique and deeply accomplished person, Nigel combined intellectual acumen with incredible capacity for work,” wrote Harper.
Harper said that Wright was “truly a special person whom we have lost far too soon.”
The news of Wright’s passing was first broken by Bobby Le Blanc, the president and CEO of Onex Corporation.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our cherished colleague and friend, Nigel. He was the consummate gentleman who set the standard for professionalism,” wrote Le Blanc in a statement.
The statement did not specify a cause of death, and multiple calls to Onex’s media relations team went unanswered.
Tributes to Wright were quick to pour in on social media, including from several Harper veterans.
Ian Brodie, also an ex-Harper chief of staff, said he was “very saddened” by Wright’s passing.
“In addition to his business and investment acumen, Nigel had a long life of public service and I remember all my times working with him with great fondness,” reflected Brodie.
Harper-era policy advisor Ken Boessenkool called Wright’s passing “a stunning and massive loss.”
“Nigel Wright was one of Canada’s most selfless individuals. He contributed mightily to Candian conservatism, mostly quietly, always modestly,” wrote Boessenkool
Former Harper spokesman Dimitri Soudas said that Wright was the “hardest working person” he’d ever known.
“(F)irst one in, last one out … His sharp mind and unwavering dedication left a mark on all of us who had the privilege to work alongside him,” wrote Soudas.
Former Liberal MP Omar Alghabra called Wright’s passing “really sad” and offered condolences to his family.
Brian Dijkema, head of public policy think tank Cardus, said that Wright was “self-giving to a fault” and lauded him for “using his time for the common good.”
More to come.
National Post
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