Thomson capped off his 60 years of service by receiving the keys to Niagara Falls. Pictured: Former councillor and mayor Wayne Thomson. Photo Credit: Wayne Thomson/X.
After serving Niagara Falls for nearly 60 years, Wayne Thomson was given the keys to the city by Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati.
Thomson has been involved in Niagara Falls politics since 1968, when he was first elected as an alderman. He served as mayor between 1978 and 1983 and again from 1991 to 2003. Following a seven-year hiatus, Thomson returned to city politics and was elected to council in 2010.
Thomson, age 85, resigned his council seat last month and was succeeded by former councillor Chris Dabrowski, who came in ninth in Niagara Falls’ 2022 municipal election. Dabrowski was appointed to Thomson’s seat, as council chose not to hold a by-election over cost concerns.
Thomson is credited with turning Niagara Falls into a major tourism destination, encouraging the development of local casinos and hotels.
The casinos in particular have been crucial for Niagara Falls’ local economy and for funding government, with $20 million a year going into city coffers.
In praising Thomson, Diodati called him “the GOAT – Greatest of All Time.”
“Wayne Thomson’s had a long history of serving our community,” said Diodati. “The man has been like the energizer bunny, serving continuously through the majority of his life.”
Diodati credited Thomson with transforming Niagara Falls’ skyline. He also pointed out that Thomson was long seen as the best-dressed on city council.
This isn’t the first honour bestowed by the city on Thomson.
Back in 2019, Niagara Falls named the former police detachment building on Morrison Street after Thomson as a means of honouring him. The nearby fire department headquarters is named after Thomson’s father, who was a former fire chief.
Giving Thomson the keys to the city was meant to put a cap on Thomson’s extraordinary career of public service.
On hand at the celebration were friends, family, as well as current and former politicians. At least 50 people attended the celebration.
Former long-time Niagara Falls MP Rob Nicholson, who served in justice, defence and foreign affairs portfolios under former prime minister Stephen Harper, honoured Thomson as a “consequential” man who did a “great job” in modernizing Niagara Falls and turning it into the city that it is today.
Thomson didn’t just contribute to Niagara Falls through holding public office. He’s also chaired many agencies, including Niagara Falls Tourism and the convention centre (which came about under his leadership), and co-founded the local Meals on Wheels program, among other accomplishments.
Jay Goldberg is the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He previously served as a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
