A senior Liberal party staffer has been killed in a traffic collision in Ottawa.

Mario Lague, 52, was killed Thursday morning, when his motorcycle collided with an SUV just before 7 a.m.

Ottawa police say the 49-year-old male driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries in the collision. Lague was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

Lague is survived by his wife and two children.

He had served as director of communications for Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff since November.

After learning of his death, Ignatieff released a statement on Thursday morning praising Lague for his talents, spirit and public service.

"While we will miss Mario's extensive talents, we will miss most of all his warmth, his humour, and his passion for Canada that inspired us all," Ignatieff said, passing on condolences to Lague's family on behalf of himself and the Liberal party.

CTV's Chief Political Correspondent Craig Oliver said Lague was a well-liked member of Ignatieff's staff who helped raise the Liberal leader's public profile in recent months.

"He has been a key player in the effort to restore Mr. Ignatieff to a competitive position politically," Oliver told CTV News Channel from Ottawa on Thursday morning.

Oliver said Lague is a former senior public servant who previously worked in the Privy Council Office. He also previously worked for former prime minister Paul Martin and served as Canada's ambassador to Costa Rica.

With files from The Canadian Press