In Memoriam: Lynton “Red” Wilson

February 20, 2026 – The C.D. Howe Institute and its staff mourn the passing of Lynton “Red” Wilson.

A remarkable Canadian business leader, champion of public policy and dedicated philanthropist, Mr. Wilson was a member of the Institute’s Board of Directors from 1991 to 1999, and a member of the Institute-sponsored British-North American Committee, comprising business, labour and academic leaders from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Wilson achieved distinction in business and public service.

In the private sector, he held senior roles at Redpath Industries, the Bank of Nova Scotia and BCE. He was a director on more than 50 corporate boards and was made a Companion of the Order of the Business Hall of Fame. 

In public life, he served in the federal and Ontario governments, and was subsequently appointed to many important bodies, including the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee on the Public Service, and the Government of Canada's Competition Policy Review Panel, which he chaired. He also served as a member of the International Trade Advisory Commission during the Canada-US free trade negotiations.

Among other notable achievements and honours in his career were co-founding of the Historica Foundation of Canada, serving as Chancellor of McMaster University from 2007 to 2013, appointment as an Officer of the Order of the Canada, and receiving the Institute of Public Administration’s Vanier Medal.

“Red Wilson’s achievements in business and in public service testify to his skills, which he deployed with great energy all his life to the betterment of Canada and Canadians. The C.D. Howe Institute has benefitted from his support, and I am personally grateful for his wise guidance,” said William Robson, President and CEO of the Institute. “We will miss him, and extend our condolences to his family, friends and associates.”