Brian Hamilton

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 rejected a plan to temporarily adjust transit bus schedules starting May 2026 to reduce cancelled buses and improve reliability. The motion would have allowed the city to gradually increase service levels as staffing recovered over summer and fall.

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 voted on allowing ball pythons as pets in Thunder Bay by amending the Animal Keeping By-law. The motion failed 4-6, so ball pythons remain prohibited.

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 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 asked the Police Services Board to find additional budget cuts for their 2026 operating budget submission. The motion failed 6-7, meaning the request for further police budget reductions will not proceed.

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 rejected a proposal that would have required each councillor to hold at least one public ward or townhall meeting per year starting in 2027. The motion was narrowly defeated 5-8.

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 voted to shift $130,000 from a loan to a grant in a corporate services funding proposal, but the motion failed 6-7. The narrow vote split council nearly evenly on this financing approach.

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 voted to overturn the Speaker's decision to block a question directed at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. The motion failed 5-8, meaning the Speaker's original decision stands.

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 rejected a motion to remove a proposed temporary 100-unit shelter village from the Human Rights-Based Community Action Plan. The motion failed 3-10, meaning the shelter village proposal remains in the plan.

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 voted to remove a proposed 100-unit temporary shelter village from the Human Rights-Based Community Action Plan. The motion to delete this item failed 2-10, meaning the shelter village remains in the plan as originally proposed.

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 tied 6-6 on whether to direct staff to develop criteria for legal tent encampment areas in Thunder Bay, work with agencies and unhoused residents to identify locations, and update council on progress. The motion failed due to the tie vote.

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.

Council attempted to suspend procedural rules to allow immediate debate on the Temporary Shelter Village Initiative instead of waiting until the next meeting. The motion tied 6-6, with the Mayor absent, so it failed.

Council voted to temporarily pause the meeting until the Speaker calls it back to order. This is a standard procedural break during council sessions.

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for September 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss sensitive matters including employee issues, land deals, legal advice, labour negotiations, and confidential business information that cannot be discussed publicly.

Council formally confirmed and numbered all the decisions made at their September 2nd, 2025 meeting as official by-law 274-2025. This is a standard procedural step to finalize council meeting minutes and actions.

Council rejected a plan to establish a temporary shelter village at 114 Miles Street East, which would have included a $125,000 annual funding commitment to the Fort William Business Improvement Association for security and cleanliness improvements in the area.

Council rejected a proposal to require an administration update on the temporary village's operations by mid-2027, which would have allowed Council to decide whether to continue or change direction on the project afterward.

Council paused the meeting to give city administration time to study and develop options for the Temporary Shelter Village Initiative on the Hillyard Property, which council will review and decide on later.

Council rejected a proposal to designate a new truck route in Thunder Bay. The motion failed with 9 councillors voting against it and 4 in favor.

Council voted to continue their meeting past 11 p.m. to proceed with discussing a proposed truck route designation for Thunder Bay.

Council suspended a procedural rule to allow immediate debate on Report 143-2025 at the same meeting it was presented, rather than waiting until the next meeting as normally required.

Council approved Kam River Heritage Park as the location for a temporary shelter village and gave the Director of Strategy & Engagement authority to manage the project, including signing agreements and documents needed to get it operational.

Council will hold a closed-door meeting on May 5, 2025 to receive legal advice from the city's lawyers that is protected by attorney-client privilege. The meeting will be held in private under municipal law provisions that allow closed sessions for this purpose.

Council voted against delaying a decision on the Thunder Bay Public Library's facilities plan and its budget impacts until May 5, 2025. The motion to defer failed 9-4.

Council rejected a proposal to reduce city council from 12 to 11 members by changing to 4 wards plus 2 at-large councillors and 1 mayor. The motion failed 7-6, so the current council structure remains unchanged.

Council rejected a proposal to reduce city council from 12 to 11 members by eliminating one ward and creating a new structure with a mayor, 2 at-large councillors, and 8 ward councillors across 4 wards. The motion failed with only 2 councillors supporting it.

Council rejected a proposal to change how the city's government is structured by eliminating the four wards and having all councillors elected city-wide instead, plus adding a Deputy Mayor position.

Council voted on whether to continue meeting past 11:00 p.m. to finish business. The motion failed, so the meeting ended at that time.

Council voted to continue meeting past midnight to complete the business on their agenda.

Council approved a Human Rights-Based Community Action Plan and a temporary village concept in principle. Administration will now seek funding from provincial and federal governments and report back once all external funding options have been explored.

Council is asking the city to review hazardous materials routes and send a letter to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization asking them to store nuclear waste near reactor sites instead of transporting it through Thunder Bay.

Council voted on whether to approve the sale or disposal of three city properties on Holly Crescent, Thistle Crescent, and Thornloe Drive. The motion failed with 4 councillors voting in favour and 8 against.

Council rejected a proposal to build an indoor turf sports facility based on Option 3 design standards with a $42.7 million cost cap. The motion would have required administration to prepare a design-build request for proposals and commit to future operating costs and maintenance.

Council postponed a decision on an infrastructure and engineering report to their June 24 meeting. The vote was close, with 10 councillors supporting the delay and 3 opposing it.

Council approved increases to golf course user fees for 2024, ranging from 1.72% to 5.26% across various season passes and daily green fees at city golf courses.

Council narrowly approved a list of cost-reduction options for a proposed indoor sports facility, including scaling back the project scope and amenities, but specifically excluded reducing the field size.

Council rejected a proposal to cap construction costs for a new Multi-use Indoor Sports Facility at $30 million and hire Stantec Architecture to study design options that would meet this budget target.

Council approved amendments to a major facility project budget of $38 million, switching to Ontario Building Code compliance standards and requiring a report back by March 25, 2024 that includes a review of the operating business model.

Council voted on whether to delay a decision about a financing strategy for Soccer Northwest Ontario's proposed indoor sports facility until December 11, 2023. The motion failed, meaning the delay was not approved.

Council approved a $38 million budget for a multi-use indoor sports facility proposed by Soccer Northwest Ontario and hired Stantec Architecture to conduct studies and design work. Administration must report back by March 25, 2024 with findings before moving forward with a competitive bidding process.

Council voted to shorten the response period for an Integrity Commissioner report from 30 days to 15 days. The vote ended in a 6-6 tie, meaning the motion failed.

Council approved the official minutes from their August 14, 2023 meeting. This is a standard procedural step to confirm that the written record of that meeting is accurate.

Council adopted the meeting minutes from three Committee of the Whole sessions held in March 2023. A separate vote was taken on a request for a report about potential surplus property, which passed 9-3.

Council approved the official minutes from seven special committee meetings held in January 2023. This is a standard procedural step to formally record what was discussed and decided at those sessions.