Wilson was born and raised in
Port Colborne, Ontario, and educated at
Port Colborne High School. He obtained an undergraduate degree from
McMaster University before entering the
foreign service. After postings in
Vienna and Japan, Wilson became a
teaching assistant at
Cornell University where he earned an
M.A. in
Economics. Entering the corporate world, Wilson held the position of corporate economist and director of economic research with
John Labatt Ltd. from 1969 to 1971, before becoming co-ordinator-industrial
research and development policy for the
Federal Government. Wilson left the government again in 1974 to take up a vice-presidency and directorship with
MacMillan Bloedel, but returned to the civil service to become the executive director (1977–78) and then deputy minister (1978–1981) of industry and
tourism for the
Government of Ontario. Wilson held numerous honorary degrees, and was appointed officer of the
Order of Canada in 1997. In later life he continued to be involved with companies such as
Nortel Networks,
CAE Inc., and
Daimler AG, and also served as chancellor of his alma mater,
McMaster University from 2007 to 2013. Wilson died on 9 February 2026, at the age of 85. He was survived by his wife, Brenda, and their three children and grandchildren. ==References==