Hon. Ian SHUGART

1957 - 2023

The Honourable Senator IAN DOUGLAS SHUGART, P.C. Ian died peacefully in Ottawa on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Ian leaves behind his wife Linda; children Robin, James, and Heather; and his siblings Linda Madore (the late Bertrand), Anne Shragge (the late John), and Craig (Krista) and their families. He is predeceased by his parents, Donald and Daphne. Ian will be dearly missed by his sisters-in-law Mary Vandermeer, Brenda Vandermeer, Cathy Matheson, Elisabeth Jackson and their families. Born in Toronto on May 31, 1957 and raised in an intergenerational home, Ian learned a deep love of nature, classical music, and theatre, and he developed interest and skills in debating current affairs and leadership. Most significant for Ian in these early years was the formation of his deep Christian faith, which explained and motivated his life both personally and professionally. After graduating with a Bachelor of Political Economy from Trinity College at the University of Toronto, Ian moved to Ottawa where he started his career as a political staffer on Parliament Hill, before joining the public service in 1991. He went on to hold increasingly senior positions in the federal government, notably in health policy, before serving as a deputy minister in the Ministries of Environment Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and Global Affairs Canada. In 2019, he was appointed Clerk of the Privy Council. Ian married the light of his life, Linda, in 1985, and they delighted in raising their three children together; enjoying vibrant conversations around the dinner table and summer vacations at cottages where Ian shared his love of swimming, canoeing and nature with his family. Following his retirement from the public service in 2022, Ian became a professor at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada that same year, and he looked forward to continuing his contribution to foreign policy, good governance, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. Despite the many demands on his time, Ian valued contributing to his community, spending many years volunteering as a minor hockey and soccer coach. He was also deeply involved in Christian ministry as an elder and teacher at St. Paul's Church, and he preached at a number of churches throughout Ottawa. Visitation will be held at Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3700 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, on Friday, November 10th from 4 - 6 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday, November 11th at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The service will be livestreamed. As expressions of sympathy, donations in memory of Ian made to Ratanak International or the Ottawa Food Bank would be appreciated by the family. Online guestbook and livestream registration available at www.capitalmemorial.ca