Ernest Whitfield Stairs (10 April 1873 – 31 October 1941) was a Canadian farmer and politician. He was born in Southampton, New Brunswick, a descendant of United Empire Loyalists who settled the area in 1784. A successful farmer, Stairs was involved in a variety of public and social activities. He was a director of the Farmers Co-Operative Association and served on the Municipal Council Board for York County from 1911–1921 and served as Warden in 1916. Stairs died at his home in 1941.