‘Larger-than-life’ politician fought for New Brunswickers
SAINT JOHN, N.B.— When Elsie Wayne called Saint John, N.B., “the greatest little city in the east,” she made you believe it — and it was that unassailable love of her city that carried her to prominence during a 29-year career in Canadian politics. The former mayor and New Brunswick member of Parliament has died at the age of 84.
The death was confirmed Tuesday morning by the province’s official Opposition, saying she had died peacefully in her sleep. News of her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes and memories on social media from a wide cross-section of past and present politicians.
“She was one of the last of the large political personalities in Canada,” said former New Brunswick Liberal premier Frank McKenna.
“She shunned political correctness; she said what she thought; she was passionate about what she believed in; she was feisty; and she was intensely loyal to her causes, particularly the city of Saint John.”
Born in Shediac, N.B., Elsie (Fairweather) Wayne moved to Saint John at an early age. She was first elected to Saint John common council in 1977 and became the city’s first female mayor in 1983.
McKenna said, despite the fact they came from different political backgrounds, he and Wayne worked well together, trying to complete many projects in a short period of time. “Even though sometimes her methods might lack a bit of finesse, nobody could doubt her motivation, it was always in the best interest of Saint John,” McKenna said.
Trevor Holder was a Tory member of the New Brunswick legislature at the time, and said Wayne was “one of a kind.”
“She was a larger-than-life figure. When Elsie walked into a room, you knew that she was there. She had a presence. She had a presence because she connected with people,” he said.
“You knew that she was the same person if she was in a boardroom in Toronto, fighting for the interests of Saint John, as she was walking through the City Market. I think that’s what made Elsie special. I think people had a sense that they could reach out and touch her at any time.”
She was one of only a handful of Canadian politicians known simply by her first name.
“It’s just Elsie,” she once said proudly.