Nigel Wright, the former chief of staff to ex-prime minister Stephen Harper, has passed away at the age of 62, as announced by his employer in a statement released on Tuesday. Bobby Le Blanc, the president and CEO of Onex, a Canadian private equity firm, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Nigel, describing him as a respected colleague and friend who epitomized professionalism.
Having a legal background, Wright’s early interest in Conservative politics led him to work for former leaders Brian Mulroney and Kim Campbell before embarking on a successful career at Onex. During his tenure at Onex, he oversaw the firm’s operations in London, U.K., and played a key role in facilitating mergers and acquisitions.
In 2010, Wright temporarily left his position to join Harper’s office, where he efficiently managed a team of political staff and contributed to the Conservative Party’s victory in the May 2011 federal election. However, he became embroiled in controversy in 2013 when he provided $90,000 to then-senator Mike Duffy to repay questionable housing and living expenses, which were under scrutiny by the auditor general and the Senate.
Following his resignation in 2014, amidst the Senate expenses scandal, Harper claimed that Wright was dismissed and asserted that he was unaware of the payment until it became public knowledge. Although Duffy faced criminal charges related to accepting a bribe from Wright, he was eventually acquitted.
Wright emerged as a significant witness during Duffy’s trial, where he testified that he issued the payment to address a political issue and safeguard the federal finances. While Wright himself was not charged, the federal ethics commissioner determined that he violated ethics regulations by utilizing his personal funds to cover Duffy’s expenses.
After his tenure in the Prime Minister’s Office, Wright returned to his role at Onex. Gerry Schwartz, the chair of Onex, praised Wright as a shrewd investor, an exemplary leader, and a remarkable individual known for his humility and generosity. Schwartz emphasized that Wright’s legacy will endure through the various entities, causes, and individuals who benefited from his philanthropy and goodwill.