Nicholas dePencier Wright (born May 20, 1982) is a Canadian business lawyer and former politician. He was the founding leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia and was the founding Executive Director of the Canadian animal advocacy organization Animal Justice. He is currently founder and CEO of foreign affairs publication Geopolitical Monitor and was an elected member ("Bencher") of the governing body of the Law Society of Ontario (2019-2023).
Background and education Wright was born in Toronto, Ontario. He attended Lakefield College School before moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he received an honours degree in philosophy from the University of King's College, Halifax and an MBA and a law degree from Dalhousie University. In 2017 he earned an LLM in tax law from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Politics On March 5, 2006, Wright became the leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia at the Party's founding convention—after winning a contested nomination vote over long time Green Party of Canada candidate and organizer Sheila Richardson."Parties and Leaders, Nick Wright" Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2006 Jun 1
On December 19, 2006, Wright announced that he would be stepping down as leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia upon the completion of his term, which ended in May 2007."Nova Scotia Greens to seek new leader" Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2006 Dec 19"Greens pick new leader" Kings County Advertiser-Register
On May 1, 2019 Wright was elected 'Bencher' of the Law Society of Ontario as a representative for Torontohttps://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ontario-lawyers-elect-new-governing-body-for-2019-23-term-817830603.html Ontario lawyers elect new governing body for 2019-2023 term
Elections In the 2006 federal election, Wright ran for the Green Party of Canada for the riding of HalifaxDecision Canada, electoral results Canada.com and received 3.9% of the popular vote (1,948 votes), losing to NDP incumbent and former NDP federal and provincial leader Alexa McDonough.
Wright then led the Green Party of Nova Scotia"Parties & Leaders" Canadian Broadcasting Corporation"Riding by Riding" CTV, 2006"Greens hope to make mark in June vote" by Keith Corcoran. SouthShoreNow.ca through the 2006 Nova Scotia general election. He ran as a candidate for the district of Halifax Citadel and received 4.18% of the popular vote (292 votes), losing to NDP candidate Leonard Preyra.
On October 27, 2014, Wright ran for City Council in Toronto's Ward 20, losing to Joe Cressy.http://election.toronto.ca/epr2014/eprDetail.do?C;020,110,309,203,403, Ward” 20 Election Results, City of Toronto
On June 22, 2015, Wright was nominated Green Party of Canada candidate for Toronto's University—Rosedale for the 2015 federal election.https://greenparty.ca/en/riding/2013-35110 Green Party of Canada Ridings, University-Rosedale In the election, Wright received 3% of the popular vote (1,423 votes), losing to Liberal candidate Chrystia Freeland.
On May 1, 2019, Wright successfully ran for 'Bencher' to become part of the governing body of the Law Society of Ontario as part of a slate that sought to depoliticize the organization and reduce spending and membership fees.https://bencherelection.lawtimesnews.com/article/nicholas-wright-13626/ Bencher Election Candidate Bio
Post-elections Wright practices business law in Toronto. He frequently appeared in the media for his work in support of animal protection and civil liberties."Nicholas dePencier Wright on Seal Slaughter" National Post, 2011 Mar 4"Lawyer sues police for unlawful G20 arrest" thestar.com, 2012 Feb 15"Humane Society to N.L. Sealers: Let's Talk" Ashley Fitzpatrick. The Telegram, 2012 Apr 04"Canada Border Services seizes lawyer's phone, laptop for not sharing passwords" CBC 2019 May 05
Electoral record
2014 Toronto City Council Election: Ward 20 Trinity—Spadina Candidate Vote %Joe Cressy 12,466 41.96Terri Chu 3,693 12.43Sarah Thomson 2,808 9.45Mike Yen 1,431 4.82Phillip Morrison 1,407 4.74Anshul Kapoor 1,063 3.58Charles MacDonald 972 3.27Albert Koehl 853 2.87Tonny Louie 740 2.49Daryl Christhoff 705 2.37Mike Andreae 590 1.99Sam Goldstein 519 1.75Nick Wright 395 1.33Stephanie Carty-Kegel 376 1.27Sam Novak 376 1.27Graham Hollings 307 1.03Stella Kargiannakis 286 0.96Leanne Hicks 212 0.71Susan Tsai 194 0.65Michael Monaghan 128 0.43Kat Shermack 102 0.34Akeem Fasasi 86 0.29
References
External links Wright Business Law, Nick Wright's Toronto Business Law Practice Geopolitical Monitor, foreign affairs publication Animal Justice, animal advocacy organization Green Party of Nova Scotia site Nick Wright writes about seal hunt.