David Onley Obituary

David Onley CM OOn was a Canadian broadcaster and author who served as Ontario’s 28th lieutenant governor from 2007 to 2014.

David C. Onley died Saturday, January 15, 2023, evening at the age of 72, according to the lieutenant governor’s office. His cause of death was not given.

David Charles Onley was born on June 12, 1950, in Midland, Ontario. Onley had disabilities from polio as a child, and he used a motorised scooter.

He attended the University of Toronto Scarborough, where he was student council president and earned a degree in political science.

Prior to becoming viceroy, Onley worked as a television journalist. He began his career as a weather reporter for Citytv before moving on to cover science and technology stories.

From 2007 to 2014, Onley was the first person with a physical disability to hold the position, according to a statement from Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

His seven-year tenure as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario places him as the province’s third longest-serving viceroy since Confederation, trailing only his successor Elizabeth Dowdeswell (2014-present) and Albert Edward Matthews (1937–1946).