Faculty of Kinesiology

Stephen Wetmore, of Campbellton, NB will receive an honorary doctorate of letters degree during 2019 Encaenia.

Stephen was born and raised in Campbellton, NB and now lives in Oakville, ON.  A Canadian business leader, mentor and visionary, his ties to NB and to UNB remain strong.

Stephen graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and administration in 1976.  Since that time, he has excelled in a number of demanding positions.  He helped to create and served as President and CEO of Bell Aliant, the largest publicly-traded business income trust in Canada.  As Vice-Chairman from 2002 to 2006, Mr. Wetmore was involved in virtually all facets of the organization. 

In 2009, he joined Canadian Tire Corporation as President and CEO, where he substantially grew the Company by developing a new business model in e-commerce and turning the Company's real estate portfolio into one of its greatest assets.  When he stepped down from his role five years later, he had transformed Canadian Tire into the largest sporting goods retailer in the country with the acquisition of FGL Sports (SportChek, Atmosphere, Sports Experts and National Sports). 

While serving as the corporation's deputy chairman of its board of directors in 2016, and as a result of his innovative thinking and business acumen, Stephen was asked to serve a second term as President and CEO of Canadian Tire Corporation.  Under his renewed leadership, the Company has launched Triangle Rewards, the evolution of its Canadian Tire Money loyalty program, and now the fastest growing loyalty and credit card program in Canada, and acquired Oslo-based Helly Hansen, a global-leader in technical performance products in sportswear and workwear.  Together, these two initiatives form a strong foundation and positions the Company for continued, long-term growth. 

A keen sportsman in his own right, Mr. Wetmore has played a critical role in Canadian Tire's Jumpstart Charity, which has given two million children from families in financial need the chance to participate in sport and physical activity through the YMCA/YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, community centres, and a variety of teams and leagues.

Beyond Canadian Tire's Jumpstart Charity, the corporation's philanthropy ranges from sponsorship of Olympic athletes and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame to support for physical education at the university level, including the Stephen Wetmore Award in Sport and Recreation Management at UNB - the largest award for MBA students at UNB who want to be corporate and community leaders in athletics.  The award's first recipient was selected in 2015.  It will continue to positively impact the lives of future leaders in sport for years to come.

In recognition of his impact, The Globe & Mail named Stephen one of the 50 Most Powerful people in Canadian Sport in 2013.  In 2016, he was awarded a Doctorate of Civil Laws degree from his alma mater, Acadia University.