David Onley, former Ontario lieutenant-governor, dies at 72

TORONTO — Ontario's sitting lieutenant-governor says David Onley, who held the same post for seven years, has died. He was 72. 

Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell issued a statement on Saturday evening announcing Onley's death, but provided no details. 

She says he is survived by his wife Ruth Ann and three sons. 

Onley, who used a motorized scooter after having polio as a child, was the first visibly disabled person to hold the lieutenant-governor position when he was appointed to the role in 2007.

He championed accessibility issues both during and after his term, at one point delivering a blistering indictment of Ontario's efforts to keep up with its own accessibility legislation.

He also had a long career as a television newscaster with a focus on science and technology reporting.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2023.

The Canadian Press