Mayor's Office

Biographical Information

Wayne Wright was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario and is a graduate of Windsor’s Teachers’ College.

Wayne moved to the United States in 1966 to join a national advertising firm. By 1969, he had joined the International Division of KFC Group and moved to Sydney, Australia, where he instructed management employees in all aspects of company operations. In 1971, Wayne returned to Canada to manage the company’s Canadian operations.

In 1976, Wayne moved to New Westminster and quickly established roots in the community, becoming an active volunteer and business owner. For over 30 years, he has been involved with local organizations including the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Society, New Westminster Chamber of Commerce, Westminster Club, Simon Fraser Society for Community Living and others.

In 2000, Wayne played a central role in the fundraising and construction of the “World’s Largest Tin Soldier”. Later, he wrote and published a children’s book documenting the achievement of this New Westminster landmark, donating all proceeds to local charity. In recognition of his work on behalf of the city, he was named “Citizen of the Year”.

In December 2002, Wayne was elected Mayor of the City of New Westminster. He was re-elected for a third term in November 2008. As Mayor, he is Chair of the New Westminster Police Board and a member of the Electrical Utility Commission. His many other duties on behalf of the City include serving on the Board of Directors for Metro Vancouver and as a member of numerous regional committees. In addition, he currently serves as Chair of the Metro Vancouver Housing Committee, is the regional representative to the Municipal Finance Authority, a member of the Metro Vancouver Committee on Policing Issues, and is an active member of both the TransLink Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation and the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions.

Wayne has a daughter – Jamie and two grand-children Jacob and Ryland.