Wayne Thomson

Wayne Thomson is a Canadian politician who served as the mayor of Niagara Falls from 1978 to 1983 and from 1991 to 2003.

In 1983, Thomson resigned as mayor amid controversy over a vacation given as a gift by a Toronto development firm, and a land purchase made by his then-fiancé Bonnie Dickson. His fiancé bought some land in Niagara Falls from a seller who did not want it to be sold to Marineland. Seven months later, she sold the plot to Marineland. Marineland owner John Holer stated she acted as trustee and was accompanied by Thomson when the arrangements were made.

On September 1, 1998, Thomson was attacked in his office by Joe Pietrangelo, a former city worker who was meeting with Thomson to discuss the city's decision to rezone his family property. Pietrangelo drew a metal cane and struck Thomson repeatedly before his assistant was able to intervene. Thomson was left hospitalized and required surgery. Pietrangelo was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. However, in 2008, he was found not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.

Thomson was defeated by Ted Salci in the 2003 municipal election. He subsequently ran and won re-election to Niagara Falls City Council as a councillor in the 2010 municipal election. He stepped down in September 2024.

In October 2024, the city of Niagara Falls awarded Thompson the Key to the City.