Purdy Crawford, a prominent corporate lawyer and businessman who chaired a committee to resolve the asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) crisis, has died.
He was 82.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague, friend and long-time extraordinary leader of our firm, Purdy Crawford,” according to a statement from Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, the firm where he started his law career.
In 1985, Crawford made the successful transition from law to the corporate world, joining Imasco as president and chief operating officer. He became the company’s chairman and CEO two years later.
After his retirement in 1995, he continued to serve as non-executive chairman of Imasco, CT Financial Services and Canada Trustco Mortgage Company until 2000.
Crawford rejoined Osler in 2000.
At the behest of the Ontario government, he chaired a panel of corporate leaders in 2005 and 2006 who researched and published a report that recommended a securities regulatory framework for Canada featuring a single Canadian securities regulator.
And between 2007 and 2009, Crawford chaired the Pan-Canadian Investors Committee, which oversaw the restructuring of $32 billion of non-bank Canadian third-party ABCP.
His service to Canadian business, law and society was recognized by numerous organizations and awards. In recognition of his corporate leadership and personal philanthropy, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1996 and was elevated to Companion of the Order of Canada in 2007.
Crawford leaves behind his wife, Bea, six children and 17 grandchildren.
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