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Nigel Wright, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, leaves the courthouse on Aug. 19, 2015, following his last day of testimony at the trial of former Conservative Senator Mike Duffy. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s chief of staff and long-time Onex executive Nigel Wright has passed away at the age of 62.
Onex Corporation announced Wright’s passing in a Sept. 30 statement, noting Wright was one of Onex’s longest-standing employees and a recognized leader in the investment and business communities.
Reacting to the news, Harper said he and his wife were “shocked and heartbroken” to learn of Wright’s sudden passing, calling Wright a “unique and deeply accomplished person.”
“Nigel loved his country and believed in the value of public service, having twice served in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, including as my Chief of Staff,” Harper said in a Sept. 30 X post.
“He was also a man of faith who cared about his fellow citizens and generously supported a range of philanthropic causes throughout his life.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney also offered his sympathies.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nigel Wright, a widely respected business leader and builder with a lifelong commitment to public service and community leadership,” Carney said on social media.
“I was privileged to know Nigel, benefitted often from his counsel, and have long been inspired by his dedication to our country, his kindness to his friends, and his faith in our common future.”
Onex executives also offered their condolences. The corporation did not mention Wright’s cause of death.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our cherished colleague and friend, Nigel,” Onex CEO Bobby Le Blanc said. “Over nearly three decades with Onex, he was committed to its values, its culture, and most of all its people, who regarded him with deep admiration and affection.”
Wright joined Onex in 1997 and took a leave of absence in 2011 to join the Conservative government and become Harper’s chief of staff. He left the chief of staff role in 2013 over his involvement in the Senate expenses scandal.
Wright had secretly paid then-Conservative senator Mike Duffy more than $90,000 to cover some of Duffy’s contested expenses. The ethics commissioner said the move broke federal conflict-of-interest rules.
After leaving politics, Wright joined Onex again and moved to the United Kingdom in 2014 where he helped establish the firm’s London office. Wright was known to participate in public service, charitable endeavours, and volunteer work.
Onex chairman Gerry Schwartz called Wright a “remarkably astute investor” and an “outstanding leader” who was “humble and selfless with his time and resources.”
‘Far Too Soon’
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre offered condolences to Wright’s family and friends on behalf of Canada’s Conservatives.
“Saddened to learn of the passing of Nigel Wright, former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper,” Poilievre said in a Sept. 30 X post. “Nigel was a principled and honourable man who was dedicated to Canada and to public service, and who made a lasting contribution to our country. His public service was marked with kindness, humility, and a deep sense of duty, earning the respect of those who worked alongside him.”
Several of Wright’s former political colleagues also offered their condolences and shared fond memories of Wright.
Former Harper chief of staff Ian Brodie said he was “very saddened” to hear of 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,” Brodie said in a Sept. 30 X post. “My sympathies to all his friends and family.”
Former Harper director of communications Dimitris Soudas said Wright, his former colleague and friend during his time in the Prime Minister’s Office, has “left us far too soon.”
“The hardest working person I have ever known — first one in, last one out,” Soudas said about Wright in a Sept. 30 X post. “Brilliant, humble, and kind. His sharp mind and unwavering dedication left a mark on all of us who had the privilege to work alongside him. Gone much too young. May his memory be eternal.”
