Tributes pour in
Former Saint John mayor and MP dead
Former N.B. politician Elsie Wayne dies
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 crosssection 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.
In 1993, Wayne and Jean Charest were the only Progressive Conservative MPs to win their seats in the House of Commons. She represented the riding of Saint John until 2004.