FOG BLOG POLITICAL LOG: HUGH SEGAL FROM MULRONEY GOV'T AND FORMER SENATOR DIES AT 72!

Hugh Segal, former senator and chief of staff to PM Mulroney, dead at 72 Segal, a respected figure in Canadian politics, honoured and remembered in social media tributes Hugh Segal, a prominent figure in Canadian politics for more than five decades, died on Wednesday. He was 72.

Segal's career included public service as chief of staff to prime minister Brian Mulroney and Ontario premier Bill Davis, as a senator and most recently as principal of the University of Toronto's Massey College. He also worked as a columnist, author and pundit.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news of Hugh's passing. A loving husband to Donna and doting father to Jacqueline, Hugh passed away yesterday evening in Kingston, Ontario, surrounded by family," Segal's family said in a statement.

"We are deeply touched by the condolences we are receiving from Hugh's many friends near and far and fellow political and public policy warriors of all partisan stripes. We take comfort in your stories of his service to Canada and all Canadians, his commitment to decency in our politics, and his laugh. We thank you for loving Hugh as much as we do."

Segal was born in Montreal in 1950 and got involved in politics from a young age. At 21, he was the Progressive Conservative candidate in Ottawa Centre in the 1972 general election, and was the PC candidate again in the 1974 election.

Segal served as an aide to Progressive Conservative leader Robert Stanfield, and later as an aide to Ontario premier Bill Davis. He would become Davis's chief of staff and, from 1992 to 1993, was chief of staff to Mulroney. He ran for leadership of the Progressive Conservatives in 1998, finishing second to Joe Clark.