Allan Slaight
1931–2021
Allan Slaight was a dedicated champion of the arts, music, and culture in Canada. An early friend and supporter of The Walrus alongside his son Gary, he was foundational in establishing The Walrus as a home for important, fact-based journalism through the Allan Slaight Writers’ Fund and the Allan Slaight Prize for Journalism. He will be remembered at The Walrus for his philanthropic spirit, magical warmth, and faithful support of writers and artists. The son of a newspaperman and radio station owner, Allan began his broadcasting career from a very young age, and his entrepreneurial journey led him to become the creator of Canada’s largest privately and solely owned multimedia company. He has made an immense impact on virtually all facets of Canadian media, arts, and culture. Among his radioand television-broadcasting endeavours, he was instrumental in the creation of the Toronto Raptors, in 1993, and played a key role in bringing Siriusxm to Canada. Allan was the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Slaight Communications and an active philanthropist, serving as the founder of The Slaight Family Foundation. At The Walrus, The Allan Slaight Writers’ Fund was dedicated specifically to writers pursuing reliable and significant journalism. This commitment continues to inspire The Walrus team to investigate stories with passion and intellectual curiosity. A great personality who has left an indelible mark on Canadian arts and media, Allan Slaight is responsible for the breadth of important and insightful stories we read and hear in Canadian media. We cherish the magic he shared, and we are grateful to Emmanuelle Gattuso and the entire Slaight family for sharing him with us.