Nigel S. Wright

Who is Nigel S. Wright?

Nigel S. Wright is a Canadian businessman and lawyer. He served as the thirteenth Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, from September 2010 to May 2013.

Prior to his appointment as chief of staff, Wright was the managing director of Onex Corporation, and is considered a bit of a star on Bay Street. Wright has law degrees from Harvard Law School and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, and previously served in Brian Mulroney's office, as a speech writer and policy advisor.

In the Hill Times annual ranking of the top 100 Most Influential People in Government and Politics, Wright placed sixth in 2012 and in Maclean’s 25 Most important People in Ottawa he placed fifth in 2012.

Wright resigned from his most recent government role after it was reported that he had given money to help Senator Mike Duffy repay the government for ineligible housing expenses. The RCMP on April 15, 2014 indicated there was no basis for criminal charges and would close their investigation on Mr. Wright. In reply, Mr. Wright through his counsel Peter Mantas, stated "My intention was to secure the repayment of taxpayer funds.