2022–2026 Council

Council confirmed the agenda for the July 7, 2026 meeting, approving all items listed for discussion that day. The vote passed unanimously with 11 councillors in favor.

Council approved changes to the zoning rules for a property at 1655 Mountain Road. The council decided that the modifications made during the public meeting were sufficient and no additional public notice is needed to move forward.

City Council approved a zoning change and subdivision plan for a 41-lot residential development on rural land near Lot 16 CON 3 SKR. Part of the land will be protected as environmental zone, while the rest will allow new homes with specific lot size requirements and a buffer zone next to existing homes.

Council voted to take a 5-minute break during the meeting. Nine councillors supported the recess while Mayor Boshcoff voted against it.

Council approved the consent agenda for the July 7, 2026 meeting, which confirmed the meeting agenda and approved minutes from previous council meetings and various advisory committees and health/social services boards.

Council appointed Jim Comuzzi, Nikos Mantis, and Sarah Boyechko to the Waterfront District BIA Board of Directors for the remainder of their terms, which expire in November 2026.

Council approved restoring a $55,000 annual contribution to the McKellar Mall Reserve Fund that was cut from the 2025 budget, and created a new Health and Safety Water Stream Reserve Fund to manage water-related health and safety initiatives. The city will update its reserve fund policies to reflect these changes.

Council approved the meeting schedule for deliberating Thunder Bay's 2027 operating budget and 2027-2028 capital budgets. The specific dates are outlined in a table within the report, and any necessary bylaws will be presented to council for final approval.

City Council approved renaming Current River Arena to Itec Community Arena through a 10-year naming rights agreement. The arena will use the new name for the duration of the agreement, after which it may revert to its original name.

Council approved $1.46 million in funding to create a new program that will rehabilitate vacant and dilapidated buildings in Thunder Bay. The money comes from a reserve fund designated for property rehabilitation, and the Realty Services manager is authorized to handle the related paperwork.

Council approved updating Thunder Bay's retirement benefits rules for municipal employees by replacing two old by-laws with a new one that follows current Ontario Municipal Employees' Retirement System (OMERS) requirements. The changes take effect July 19, 2026.

Council approved a list of top priorities to guide staff when asking the provincial and federal governments for funding and support. These include land development, industrial parks, housing infrastructure, affordable housing, a bridge, road improvements, and continued efforts to address homelessness and the opioid crisis.

Council approved a temporary transfer of certain decision-making powers to the City Manager during the 2026 election period when council members are considered "lame duck" (transitional). This prevents important decisions from being delayed while an election is underway.

Council voted to continue their meeting past 11:00 p.m. to finish the business they were discussing. The motion passed with 10 councillors in favour and 1 against, while 2 councillors were absent.

Council approved a new signing authority bylaw that clarifies which city officials can sign documents on behalf of Thunder Bay. This bylaw sets out the rules for who has the power to execute contracts and agreements for the city.

Council approved moving forward with planning the Granite Road surface treatment project. Administration will include it in the 2027 budget planning process and report back to council with details.

Council approved changes to the zoning rules for the property at the northwest corner of 15th Side Road and 1655 Mountain Road. The vote passed 9-0, with one councillor declaring a conflict of interest and two absent.

Council approved 12 new by-laws covering various municipal matters, including delegating authority to restrict certain acts, updating pension participation rules, applying for provincial infrastructure financing for 6 different capital projects, updating parking enforcement officer appointments, removing a development restriction on Onion Lake Road, authorizing document execution, and updating municipal officer appointments.

Council scheduled a private meeting for Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss confidential personnel matters involving city employees, as permitted under provincial law.

Council formally approved and finalized all decisions made at their July 7, 2026 meeting by passing By-law 291-2026. This is a routine administrative step that officially confirms the council's proceedings from that date.

Council approved the agenda for the June 23, 2026 meeting, including any additional items that were added. All 12 councillors present voted in favor.

Council approved a consent agenda that confirmed meeting minutes from June, approved sign variance applications, updated procurement thresholds and incident response policies, authorized a communication tower at 1580 Arthur Street West, and approved external funding for various capital projects.

Council voted to approve administration's plan regarding Thunder Bay Hydro Corporation and Synergy North Corporation, as discussed in a closed session meeting. The specific details of what was decided are not public information.

Council appointed two people to city advisory committees: Pamela Kaartinen to the Accessibility Advisory Committee as a parent/guardian representative, and Jasmin Fisher to the Heritage Advisory Committee as a citizen representative. Both will serve until November 2028.

Council appointed three people to the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission as Community Directors: Samantha Finelli (starting her first 4-year term), and Michael Fox and Roger Souckey (both starting their second 4-year terms). All three appointments were approved unanimously.

Council voted unanimously to appoint Justin McConnell to the Thunder Bay Community Foundation Board of Trustees. All 12 councillors present supported the appointment.

City Council approved a 5-year exemption that allows Syncor Contracting Limited and Di Gregorio Developments Inc. to create up to 17 new lots in the area covered by Registered Plan 55M-643 (Blocks 44, 45, and 46). This exemption from Part Lot Control rules under the Planning Act will enable the subdivision of these properties.

Council approved a direct negotiation to hire Granicus, LLC to implement and provide software licensing for the City's Property Information System (AMANDA). The Commissioner of Corporate Services is authorized to sign related contracts.

Council redirected $780,000 that was planned to go into a reserve fund for Thunder Bay's renewal efforts. Instead, this money will now be used to pay the city's share of the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority's budget.

Council approved a new Investment Policy Statement that will guide how the city invests its municipal funds. This policy has been added to the city's official policy manual, and any necessary bylaws will be brought back to council for final approval.

Council approved seven new bylaws covering heritage property designations, planning exemptions, supply management updates, and enforcement officer appointments. The changes affect property protections, development permissions, parking enforcement, and smoking regulations at the regional health sciences centre.

Council took a 5-minute break during the meeting. All 12 councillors present voted in favour.

Council amended the Southcore Roar Festival funding request to create a municipal capital project for up to $20,000 in water barricades, funded from the Municipal Accommodation Tax reserve. The city will own and retain the barricades for future use.

Council approved spending up to $20,000 to buy water barricades for the Southcore Roar Festival. The city will own and keep these barricades for future use, with funding coming from the Municipal Accommodation Tax reserve.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for July 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss private personnel matters about city employees, as permitted under the Municipal Act. All 12 councillors present voted in favor.

Council formally approved and recorded the official proceedings from their June 23, 2026 meeting by passing By-law 271-2026. This is a standard housekeeping measure that confirms all decisions made that day are valid and properly documented.

City Council approved submitting funding applications to two provincial/federal programs (NOHFC and FedNor) to upgrade sports facilities at the Canada Games Complex. The City will cover any costs that grants don't fully fund.

Council approved a consent agenda that confirmed meeting minutes from May and earlier, approved the renewal of Microsoft Office 365 software, and made changes to the council meeting calendar. All 12 councillors present voted in favor.

Council appointed Borika Vucinic to the Tbaytel Board of Directors for a 3-year term ending June 30, 2029. The vote was unanimous with 12 councillors in favour.

Council approved the administration's recommendation regarding the City Manager's performance review, which was discussed in a closed-door session. The vote was unanimous among the 12 councillors present.

Council approved hiring NTT Data Business Solutions to provide consulting services and software licenses needed to set up new HR management modules in the City's SAP system. The City Manager is authorized to sign contracts and any necessary bylaws will be presented for approval.

Council approved two by-laws: one updating the rules for parking enforcement officers in Thunder Bay, and another removing a planning restriction on the property at 2019 Almira Avenue so it can be developed.

Council scheduled a private meeting for June 23, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss personal matters about city employees or individuals, as permitted under provincial law.

Council officially confirmed that the proceedings from their June 2nd, 2026 meeting were conducted properly and in accordance with municipal rules. This is a routine procedural vote required after each council meeting.

Council confirmed the meeting agenda for May 19, 2026, including all printed items and any new business that was added. The vote passed unanimously with 10 council members in favour.

Council approved Official Plan Amendment No. 22, which delegates certain planning authority to streamline development decisions across the city. The amendment will be formalized through by-laws that council will review and ratify.

Council voted to proceed with the City Manager's performance review as recommended by the Human Resources Director. The specific details were discussed in a closed session meeting.

Council approved the minutes from their May 5th and May 6th meetings, as well as minutes from the Social Services Administration Board. This is a routine procedural motion to formally confirm the accuracy of previous meeting records.

Council approved a new by-law that will regulate how public spaces in Thunder Bay can be used. The by-law will now go to City Council for final ratification.

Council took a 10-minute break during the meeting. Nine councillors voted in favour while the mayor and one councillor voted against.

The council approved adding a condition to the Growth Strategy report stating that Site A will only be developed once Site B and Site F reach 80% occupancy combined. The motion passed 7-4.

Council approved Current River Park as a designated encampment site for people experiencing homelessness. The site will open once two other encampment sites (Site B and Site F) reach 80% capacity combined.

Council has designated Freedom Park (Site B) as an official encampment site in Thunder Bay. This means the city is formally recognizing this location as a designated area where people experiencing homelessness can set up camp.

Council approved Site F at Simpson Street as an official encampment site. This designates the location as a recognized area where people experiencing homelessness can set up temporary shelters.

Council approved $208,500 to build and install fencing around a designated encampment area. The project will move forward pending any necessary bylaw updates.

City Council approved an updated master plan for the Pool 6 and Tug Boat Basin waterfront area. The necessary by-laws to implement this plan will be brought back to council for a final vote.

Council designated five historic properties in Thunder Bay as official heritage sites: the Doctor's Cottage on Ray Court, the Bank of Montreal on Cumberland Street, the District Court House on Camelot Street, the McIntyre House on Isabella Street, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Pacific Avenue. These properties will be added to the city's heritage register and protected under Ontario's Heritage Act.

Council approved six new by-laws covering property development controls at three locations, the 2026 tax policy and levy, an update to the city's Official Plan, and rules for using municipal public spaces. All 11 councillors present voted in favor.

Council unanimously approved Thunder Bay's application to become a pilot site for Ontario's Immigration Nominee Program, which will help local employers recruit and keep skilled workers to support economic growth in the city and region.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for June 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss personal matters about a specific individual, likely a municipal employee, in accordance with provincial privacy laws.

Council approved By-law 178-2026, which officially confirms that all the decisions and proceedings from the May 19, 2026 council meeting were conducted properly and legally. This is a standard administrative step that validates everything council did at that meeting.

Council approved the consent agenda for the May 5, 2026 meeting, which confirmed meeting minutes from various committees and boards held in April, plus a community auditorium reserve request. This is a routine housekeeping motion that formally documents council activities.

Council approved the tax rates for 2026 using Option 2 from the staff report. Property tax payments will be due in two installments on August 5 and October 7, 2026, and the formal by-law will be ratified at the May 19 council meeting.

Council approved applying for provincial funding to replace the aging fuel storage and dispensing system at Prince Arthur's Landing Marina. The city will need to match $700,000 in funding and cover any additional costs or overruns.

Council approved changes to the rules that govern election signs in Thunder Bay. The amendment updates By-law 56-2022, which controls how election signs are managed and regulated throughout the city.

Council approved changes to the election signs by-law that controls how campaign signs are displayed throughout Thunder Bay. The updated rules will replace the current election sign regulations.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for May 19, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss personal matters involving city employees or individuals, as allowed under provincial law.

Council approved By-law 167-2026, which officially confirms that all decisions and proceedings from their May 5th, 2026 meeting were conducted properly and legally. This is a routine administrative step that validates the council meeting's actions.

Council confirmed the agenda for the April 21, 2026 meeting, approving all items listed for discussion that day. The motion passed with 9 councillors voting in favour.

Council approved rezoning 1240 Dawson Road from low-rise to mid-rise zoning to allow apartment development. One part of the property has conditions requiring engineering studies to confirm the land can handle water drainage and won't block future road extensions before construction can begin.

Council approved changing the zoning for the properties at 116 and 222 Coady Avenue from 'Future Development' to 'Urban Low-rise,' which will allow for low-rise residential or mixed-use buildings on these lots. The necessary bylaw documents will be presented to council for final approval.

Council approved a 3% wage increase effective January 1, 2026 for all managers, non-union employees, and non-affiliated staff. The motion also updated vacation and leave benefits and made changes to the compensation structure for these employee groups.

Council approved the minutes from multiple meetings and committees held since the last council meeting, and confirmed the external funding strategies agreement and an updated meeting calendar.

City Council scheduled a special meeting for May 6, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., preceded by a closed session at 5:30 p.m. The meeting calendar will be updated to reflect these new meetings.

Council voted to give itself a 2.7% salary raise effective January 1, 2026. Nine councillors and the mayor supported it, with one councillor opposed.

Council approved a 9% pay raise for city councillors and the mayor, effective January 1, 2027. Councillors will receive an additional $3,067.14 annually and the mayor will receive $9,329.98 annually.

Council approved four new by-laws: updating zoning rules at 1240 Dawson Road and 116 & 222 Coady Avenue, establishing site plan control requirements at 1240 Dawson Road, and updating the list of city officers. All changes passed with 10 votes in favor.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for May 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss confidential matters including employee negotiations, potential lawsuits, and legal advice that must stay private under provincial law.

Council approved a consent agenda that confirmed meeting minutes from various committees and boards, and authorized funding for the Hammond Fire Training Centre expansion project.

Council approved a group of nominees to receive the Citizens of Exceptional Achievement award. The city will now notify the nominees and people who submitted their names about the status of their recognition.

Council approved a one-year Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) agreement with Lakehead University Student Union starting September 1, 2026. This allows students to use Thunder Bay transit with their student ID, with some updated terms from the previous agreement.

Council approved the appointment of David Tarini as the new Chief of Fire for Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, effective April 8, 2026. This replaces the previous acting fire chief arrangement and will be formalized through a new bylaw.

Council approved a new Emergency Management Program By-law that replaces the old 2021 emergency plan. The new program includes an updated Emergency Management Plan and Strategy to guide how the city prepares for and responds to emergencies.

Council approved registering tax arrears certificates against properties with unpaid taxes, which officially starts the municipal tax sale process to collect outstanding property taxes. Any required bylaws will be brought back to council for approval.

Council approved the sale of the city-owned property at 545 Algoma Street North to a developer for $749,000. The developer plans to build a multi-residential building with mixed-use spaces on the site, subject to a site plan agreement and repurchase agreement with the city.

City Council approved the sale of city-owned land at 144 Fanshaw Street to Terralux General Contractors for $969,000 to build a multi-unit residential development. The sale requires the developer to get zoning approval, sign a site plan agreement, and agree to a repurchase clause before the deal closes.

City Council approved the sale of a large city-owned property at 300 Tokio Street to Terralux General Contractors and Development Limited for $2.1 million. The developer plans to build a multi-residential development on the site, subject to a site plan agreement and a repurchase clause protecting the city's interests.

Council approved the sale of city-owned land at 791 Arundel Street to Terralux General Contractors for $2.16 million to build a multi-residential development. The sale requires the developer to obtain zoning approval and sign agreements with the city before the deal closes.

Council approved using a negotiation process to hire a contractor for the Beverly Street Parking Lot project, with a budget up to $2 million. The City Manager is authorized to sign all related contracts and agreements.

Council approved five updates to city bylaws covering emergency management procedures, the appointment of a Fire Chief, and changes to how city officers are appointed and authorized. All updates passed unanimously.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for April 21, 2026 to discuss labour relations and employee negotiations. These sessions are held in private to protect sensitive information during negotiations.

Council formally approved and recorded the official proceedings from their April 7, 2026 meeting. This is a standard administrative step to confirm that all decisions made that day are legally documented.

Council confirmed routine administrative items including meeting minutes from various committees, approved tax cancellation/refund applications, and recognized uncollectible accounts from 2025. All items passed unanimously with 10 councillors voting in favor.

Council approved receiving transit funding and authorized the Commissioner of Community Services to sign related agreements to receive the money outlined in a detailed report.

Council approved a four-month delay to the Thunder Bay Art Gallery's 'Weather Tight' construction milestone, pushing it from April 30, 2026 to August 31, 2026. The city treasurer will sign amended funding and lease agreements to reflect this schedule change.

Council appointed Paul Fitzpatrick to the Tbaytel Board of Directors for a 3-year term ending June 30, 2029. The vote passed 10-0 with three councillors absent.

Council approved $70,000 to purchase a cargo van for the Temporary Shelter Village to help with transportation operations. The money comes from a federal grant through Health Canada's Emergency Treatment Fund.

Council scheduled two special meetings in late March and early April 2026 to discuss personnel matters involving city employees. The April 7 meeting will be closed to the public as it involves confidential information about identifiable individuals.

Council formally approved and sealed By-law 105-2026, which confirms that the proceedings from the March 17, 2026 council meeting were conducted properly and legally. This is a standard administrative confirmation that the meeting followed proper procedures.

Council approved changes to the Municipal Alcohol Policy to allow alcohol use at Waverley Park and Tbaytel Multiplex. The updated policy will be added to the city's official policy manual, and any necessary by-laws will be brought back for approval.

Council confirmed the agenda and approved the minutes from previous meetings and committee boards held in February and March 2026.

Council approved a new operating agreement with Circular Materials to run the recycling depot at 900 Walsh Street. The Infrastructure Commissioner is authorized to finalize the agreement and any required by-laws.

Council approved two updates to city by-laws that clarify which enforcement officers can enforce parking rules and smoking prohibitions at the health sciences centre. These are administrative updates to existing enforcement procedures.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for March 17, 2026 to discuss confidential matters including personnel issues, potential land deals, lawsuits, legal advice, trade secrets, and negotiation strategies. These topics require privacy under provincial law.

Council formally confirmed and approved the official proceedings from their March 3rd, 2026 meeting. This is a standard housekeeping measure to officially record that the meeting decisions were properly documented.

Council approved the consent agenda for the February 17, 2026 meeting, which confirms previously approved meeting minutes from various committees and boards, plus a delegated authority memorandum regarding Superior North EMS.

Council approved pursuing funding to create a Home Energy Improvement Loan Program that helps residents finance energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. The city will also explore partnering with other Northern Ontario municipalities on a shared financing program.

Council appointed three people to the Synergy North Board of Directors: Murray Walberg and Barb Eccles for 3-year terms through April 2029, and Gary Armstrong for a 1-year term through April 2027.

Council declared homelessness a humanitarian crisis in Thunder Bay and authorized the city to work with Fort William First Nation and Nishnawbe Aski Nation on a joint declaration. Council will receive progress reports twice yearly on outcomes and community safety impacts.

Council voted to change how Report 110-2026 will be reviewed by replacing the Quality of Life Standing Committee with a Special Committee of the Whole meeting, with the City Clerk to set the meeting date. The motion passed 8-4.

Council approved criteria for creating designated encampment sites for people experiencing homelessness. The administration will now find three potential locations that meet these guidelines and report back to council with community consultation results before any sites are finalized.

Council approved two by-laws: one to amend the municipal user fees and charges, and another to designate two Pearl Street properties (226 and 228) for site plan control under planning rules. Both passed unanimously with 12 votes in favor.

Council scheduled a closed-door training meeting for March 3, 2026 and rescheduled two standing committee meetings to avoid conflicts: Finance & Administration moves to March 10 at 4:30 p.m., and Quality of Life moves to March 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Council formally confirmed that the proceedings from their February 17, 2026 meeting were conducted properly and in accordance with rules. This is a standard procedural step taken after council meetings.

Council confirmed the agenda for the February 3, 2026 meeting, including all printed items and any new business that came up. All 13 council members voted in favor.

Council approved the official minutes from three budget review meetings held in late January 2026, confirming that the discussions about the city's long-term finances and operating budget were accurately recorded.

Council approved a consent agenda containing routine administrative items including committee meeting minutes, reports on housing infrastructure funding, 311 implementation, the fire rescue by-law, and policy updates. All items passed unanimously with 11 councillors in favor.

City Council approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026 meeting. One councillor had a conflict of interest and didn't vote, while two were absent.

Council voted to approve administration proceeding with a contract matter as discussed in a closed session meeting, based on a memo from the Sport and Community Development supervisor. The vote passed 11-0 with two councillors absent.

Council passed two new by-laws: one to establish and update rules for Thunder Bay Fire Rescue (replacing an old 1984 by-law), and another to amend the rules for parking enforcement officers. All 11 councillors present voted in favor.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for February 17, 2026 to discuss confidential matters including employee information, potential land deals, and negotiation strategies. Eleven councillors voted unanimously to proceed.

Council formally confirmed and approved the proceedings from their February 3rd, 2026 meeting by passing By-law 17-2026. This is a standard procedural step that validates all decisions and actions taken during that previous meeting.

Council confirmed the agenda for the January 13, 2026 meeting, approving all items listed plus any new business that came up. All 13 council members voted in favor.

Council approved a zoning change at 1755 John Street Road to allow a temporary Garden Suite (small secondary dwelling) on the property for 20 years, after which it must be removed.

Council appointed Mayor Ken Boshcoff to the Accessibility Advisory Committee to fill the vacancy left by Councillor Hamilton's resignation. His term will run until November 14, 2026, or until a permanent replacement is found.

Council approved changes to the Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program that will limit operating grants to organizations at 22% of their budget (maximum $40,000) and keep the total operating grant funding at $220,000. The motion also caps seed funding requests at $3,000 and updates the program's governance structure.

Council approved a batch of routine items including meeting minutes from various committees, board updates, a fire services capital project amendment, and the appointment of an Acting Fire Chief. The motion passed unanimously with 11 votes in favor.

Council declared the vacant property at 144 Fanshaw Street as surplus city land and opened it up for development proposals. The site will be subject to site plan control requirements.

Council declared the vacant property at 300 Tokio Street (and surrounding parcels) as surplus to the city's needs and designated it for site plan control, allowing the city to pursue development or sale of the land.

Council declared four vacant properties at 211-223 Tupper Street and 224 Camelot Street as surplus to city needs and designated them for site plan control, allowing potential redevelopment or sale.

Council declared the vacant property at 791 Arundel Street as surplus to city needs and designated it for site plan control, allowing the city to potentially sell or develop it. The motion passed with strong support, with only one councillor voting against.

Council approved $93,000 in funding from the Community Auditorium reserve fund to pay for engineering consulting work. The money will help with planning or design work for the auditorium facility.

Council passed six bylaws in one motion, including zoning changes for John Street Road, a 2026 interim tax levy, updates to parking enforcement and officer appointments, removal of a development restriction on King Road/Broadway Avenue, and appointment of an Acting Fire Chief.

Council formally approved and confirmed the official proceedings and records from their January 13, 2026 meeting. This is a standard procedural step to finalize meeting documentation.

Council confirmed the agenda for the December 2, 2025 meeting, including all printed items, additional information, and new business that was added.

Council confirmed the minutes from the November 24, 2025 capital budget meeting. All 12 councillors present voted to approve the record of that meeting.

Council appointed three members to city boards and committees for the remainder of their 4-year terms: Councillor Pasqualino to the Community Safety and Well Being Committee, Councillor Ch'ng to the Social Services Administration Board, and Councillor Oliver to the Community Auditorium Board.

City Council approved leasing an ambulance base facility from Terrace Bay Township at the Old Scout Hall property on Highway 11/17. The lease is conditional on Terrace Bay getting its own council approval and financing confirmed.

Council approved a settlement agreement between the city and UNIFOR union representing paramedics at Superior North Emergency Medical Services. The Mayor and Clerk are authorized to finalize the agreement, and a related bylaw will be presented for final council ratification.

Council approved a consent agenda that confirmed various meeting minutes, reports, and administrative matters including tax levy information, recreation/transit programs, housing initiatives, and committee appointments.

Council opposes Ontario's proposed regional conservation authority consolidation plan and calls on the province to keep conservation authorities locally governed, work collaboratively with municipalities, and ensure Thunder Bay's authority forms a separate Northwestern Ontario regional body instead.

Council approved a language change to the Smart Growth Action Plan Amendment, replacing "as presented and approved by City Council" with "guided by" in one section of the document.

Council approved the Smart Growth Action Plan and added a commitment to continue developing Thunder Bay's waterfront area according to a previous 2016 engineering plan.

Council approved the Smart Growth Action Plan and will receive progress reports twice yearly. The plan includes renewed focus on developing Thunder Bay's Waterfront Trail, with any required bylaw changes to come back to council for approval.

Council approved the City's 2024 audited financial statements, which provide an official accounting of all City money received and spent during the year. The approval confirms the financial records are accurate and complete.

Council decided the City will operate the Tbaytel Multiplex directly instead of using a private operator. The costs of running it this way will be included in the 2026 budget for council to review.

Council approved 11 by-laws covering administrative appointments, road closure, borrowing authorization for capital projects, policy updates, and naming a new street section. All passed unanimously with 12 councillors in favor.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for January 13, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss confidential business information that could harm the city's negotiating position if made public, such as trade secrets or financial details.

Council formally confirmed and approved the official proceedings and decisions from their December 2nd, 2025 meeting by passing By-law 352-2025. This is a standard procedural step to make the meeting's actions official.

Council confirmed the agenda for the November 4, 2025 meeting, including all printed items and new business. The vote was unanimous (13-0).

Council approved rezoning 869 Golf Links Road from industrial and natural heritage designation to commercial use. The change allows for community commercial development with specific building requirements like a maximum height of 23 meters and minimum 13% landscaping.

Council approved meeting minutes and committee records from previous sessions, and confirmed an application to request funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for improvements to the Terry Fox Visitor's Centre. The vote was unanimous with 12 councillors in favor.

Council appointed citizens to fill various committee and board positions, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Committee of Adjustment, Community Safety & Well Being Advisory Committee, Thunder Bay Public Library Board, and the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee. Most positions are for terms expiring in 2026-2029.

Council unanimously calls on the federal government to increase immigration allocations for Thunder Bay through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, reconsider caps on international students at northern colleges, and invest more in settlement services to help newcomers stay in the region. The motion will be sent to federal ministers and local MPs.

Council approved an additional $2.5 million in funding for the Thunder Bay Art Gallery's new building, split into two phases of $1.25 million each as the facility opens. The money will come from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve Fund and the Renew Thunder Bay Reserve Fund, with each phase's release dependent on confirming other funding sources and achieving the scheduled opening milestones.

Council approved naming the new indoor turf facility at 480 Beverly Street as 'Tbaytel Multiplex' under a 10-year naming rights agreement with Tbaytel.

Council approved five by-laws, including zoning changes and site plan control for 869 Golf Links Road, an update to the Official Plan for that location, and a procedural update to city officer appointments. All by-laws passed unanimously with 11 councillors in favor.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for December 2, 2025 to discuss sensitive matters including labour negotiations, potential lawsuits, legal advice, and confidential business information that could harm the city's negotiating position if made public.

Council formally confirmed that the proceedings of their November 4th, 2025 meeting were conducted properly and valid. This is a standard administrative step to officially record that council followed proper procedures.

Council approved the consent agenda for the October 21, 2025 meeting, which included confirming previous meeting minutes, committee minutes, and designating the Chippewa Park Carousel as a heritage site. A by-law amendment was also confirmed. All 13 councillors voted in favor with no opposition.

Council unanimously approved administration to proceed with directions given in a closed session meeting regarding solid waste and recycling infrastructure and operations.

Council approved changes to the lease between the City and the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, removing the parking lot from the leased area as part of making the Auditorium a fully independent organization. The City Manager was given authority to finalize the necessary documents and any related bylaw changes.

Council approved changes to the lease agreement between the City and Thunder Bay Art Gallery, adjusting project completion dates and milestone deadlines for weathertight completion and funding requirements.

Council voted to take a recess during the meeting, to be resumed when the Speaker calls the session back to order. Seven councillors voted in favor with no opposition.

Council approved the Terms of Reference for the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee, which outlines how this committee will operate in 2025. The vote was unanimous with all 13 council members in favor.

Council passed a by-law to amend the existing regulations governing Chippewa Park's carousel. The specific changes to the carousel rules were approved unanimously by all 13 council members.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for November 4, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss confidential business information (like trade secrets, financial details, or negotiation strategies) that could harm the city's competitive position if made public.

Council formally confirmed all decisions and proceedings from the October 21, 2025 meeting by passing By-law 318-2025. This is a standard administrative step to officially record that the meeting was conducted properly.

Council confirmed the agenda and approved all meeting minutes from previous council sessions, committees, and affiliated boards for the record.

Council approved $60,000 in funding for a new vehicle for the Encampment Response Team, with the money coming from a Health Canada grant.

Council approved extending the draft plan approval for Gemstone Estates Stage 6, a residential subdivision west of Hilldale Road, until January 2028. The extension allows the developer more time to finalize the subdivision plan before it expires.

Council approved a request by 1000479970 Ontario Limited to extend the draft plan approval for a subdivision project at 1294 Dawson Road until October 19, 2030. The extension allows the developer more time to proceed with the subdivision plans subject to specified conditions.

Council nominated Roshni Antony and Carol Pollard as candidates for the Thunder Bay International Airport Authority board. The Airport Authority will select one of these two nominees to serve a three-year term ending November 2028.

The city is consolidating weekday ice bookings by closing Grandview Arena for Monday ice time and closing Neebing Arena for all weekday ice bookings (with some exceptions). These changes take effect October 12, 2025.

Council approved three by-laws: two to establish site plan control requirements for properties at 92 Machar Avenue and 1115 Carrick Street, and one to update the rules for municipal law enforcement officers who enforce parking by-laws.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for October 21, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss confidential matters including personnel issues, potential land deals, trade secrets, and negotiation strategies that the public is not permitted to attend.

Council formally confirmed the proceedings and decisions from their October 7, 2025 meeting by passing By-law 286-2025. This is a standard procedural step that validates all motions and actions taken at that meeting.

Council approved the consent agenda for the September 16, 2025 meeting, which formally confirmed adoption of meeting minutes, committee reports, and two tax relief applications under provincial law.

Council appointed John Guerard to serve on the Synergy North Board of Directors for the remainder of a 3-year term ending April 30, 2027. The vote was unanimous with 12 councillors in favor.

Council scheduled a closed meeting for October 7, 2025 to discuss confidential matters including personnel issues, potential land deals, legal advice, and negotiation strategies.

Council voted to cancel the previous decision approving the Hillyard Site (next to 8th Avenue) as the location for the Temporary Shelter Village. The motion passed 8-4, meaning council is rejecting this site and will need to reconsider other options.

Council formally confirmed that the proceedings from their September 16, 2025 meeting were conducted properly and in accordance with rules. This is a standard procedural step that happens after each council meeting.

Council confirmed the consent agenda items for the September 2, 2025 meeting, including approval of committee minutes and appointment of Acting Mayors for 2025-2026. All 12 councillors present voted in favor.

Council approved the official minutes from the August 25, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting. All 12 councillors present voted in favor.

Council confirmed the minutes from their August 25, 2025 meeting. All 12 councillors present voted to approve the minutes as an accurate record of that meeting.

Council passed two by-laws: one updating the rules for municipal law enforcement officers who handle parking violations, and another officially naming 11 councillors as Acting Mayors who can step in if the Mayor is absent.