Who is Nigel Wright? A brief look at a key figure
FAMILY:
Born on May 18, 1963; 50 years old. Son of H. Graham and Maureen Wright of Hamilton.
EDUCATION:
Educated at the University of Toronto for undergraduate degree and law school. Attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1990 with a master’s degree in law.
EMPLOYMENT:
1984-1986: Took time away from law school to work in the Mulroney PMO.
1991-1997: Partner at Davies, Ward and Beck, where he practised securities law.
1997-2010: Worked at Onex Corp., a private equity firm, where he was a managing director. He specialized in aerospace, defence and transportation sectors. He took a leave of absence from his job with Onex to work at the Harper PMO.
2010-2013: Served as chief of staff in the PMO. Resigned on May 19, 2013, after writing a personal cheque to cover the expenses of Sen. Mike Duffy.
INTERESTS:
Avid runner who averages 120 kilometres a week (according to a profile in The Walrus magazine).
POLITICAL CONNECTIONS:
Joined the Progressive Conservative Party in the early 1980s, backed Brian Mulroney for leadership in 1983.
Advised Tom Long during his run for leader of the Canadian Alliance Party in 2000. Backroom fundraiser and adviser to Stephen Harper since the 2003 merger of parties on the right.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT HIM:
“We are so fortunate in Canada that outstanding individuals like Nigel Wright are willing to come to their nation’s capital and serve the public.” — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, Oct. 4, 2010.
“It is with great regret that I have accepted the resignation of Nigel Wright as my chief of staff.” — Prime Minister Stephen Harper, May 19, 2013.
“I had a chief of staff who made an inappropriate payment to Mr. Duffy — he was dismissed.” — Harper, Oct. 28, 2013.
“I know Nigel Wright to be a person of good faith, of competence with high ethical standards. And as far as I can tell, this was an uncharacteristic lapse of judgment on his part.” — Minister of Employment and Social Development Jason Kenney, Oct. 31, 2013.
“I think that it’s his (Wright’s) account, at the end of the day, that will be the most credible account of what actually happened.” — Former Reform leader Preston Manning, Nov. 7, 2013.