Former Harper Aide Nigel Wright Passes Away
Nigel Wright, a respected Canadian businessman and former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has died at the age of 62. Onex, the private equity firm where Wright spent nearly three decades, announced his passing on Tuesday without revealing a cause of death.
Wright’s contributions to both public service and business left a lasting mark, and colleagues across politics and finance expressed deep sorrow.
Condolences Pour In from Leaders and Colleagues
Onex CEO Bobby Le Blanc described Wright as a “consummate gentleman” who will be deeply missed. Harper, sharing his shock and grief on social media, called Wright “kind, generous, and selfless to a fault,” highlighting his dedication to Canada and public policy.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre praised Wright as a “principled and honourable man” who made enduring contributions to public service. Former colleagues, including Dimitri Soudas, Ken Boessenkool, and Ian Brodie, remembered Wright’s intelligence, dedication, and modesty in both political and business arenas.
Career in Politics and Business
Wright became Harper’s chief of staff in 2011, a role he held until 2013. His tenure included navigating the high-profile Senate expenses scandal, in which he personally repaid $90,000 to cover questionable claims made by Senator Mike Duffy.
Wright consistently maintained that his actions were lawful and in the public interest. The RCMP later confirmed no criminal charges applied to Wright, though the ethics commissioner determined he had violated conflict-of-interest rules.
Return to Private Sector
After leaving Harper’s office in 2013, Wright returned to Onex, joining the firm’s London office in 2014. He remained a prominent figure in private equity while staying politically connected and actively engaged in Canadian public life.
Wright’s career reflected a balance of business acumen and public service, earning him respect across political and corporate circles.
Nigel Wright is remembered as a sharp, principled, and quietly influential figure whose legacy spans politics, business, and Canadian public life.
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