Lynton Wilson

Lynton Ronald "Red" Wilson (3 April 1940 – 9 February 2026) was a Canadian business executive. He served as chairman of the board at both Nortel and CAE, chief executive officer at BCE, and corporate director of DaimlerChrysler.

Life and career 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.