February 17, 2026

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.

WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the February 17, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: - Confirmation of Agenda - Minutes of Previous City Council Meetings - February 3, 2026 - Minutes of Previous Special Committee of the Whole Meeting - February 3, 2026 - Finance & Administration Standing Committee Minutes - February 10, 2026 - Quality of Life Standing Committee - February 10, 2026 - McIntyre Ward Meeting Minutes - October 1, 2025 - Lakehead Region Conservation Authority Minutes - Thunder Bay Police Service Board Minutes - Memorandum - Delegated Authority - Superior North EMS For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (1): Councillor Kasey Etreni

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.

WITH RESPECT to Report 096-2026-Growth-Strategy & Engagement, we recommend that Administration be directed to pursue funding to support the creation of a Home Energy Improvement Loan Program in the City of Thunder Bay

• the City continue to explore opportunities to collaborate on a regional third-party financing program with other municipalities in Northern Ontario
• any necessary By-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (1): Councillor Kasey Etreni

Board Appointments - Synergy North

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.

WITH RESPECT to the Confidential Memorandum from Councillor Albert Aiello, Chair of the Thunder Bay Recruitment Committee, dated January 23, 2026 we recommend that the following people be appointed to the Synergy North Board of Directors: • Murray Walberg be appointed for a 3 year term, expiring April 30, 2029, or until such time as a replacement has been appointed; • Gary Armstrong be appointed for a 1 year term, expiring April 30, 2027, or until such time as a replacement has been appointed; • Barb Eccles be appointed for a 3 year term, expiring April 30, 2029. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (1): Councillor Kasey Etreni

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.

WITH RESPECT to Report 099-2026, we recommend that City Council declare homelessness a humanitarian crisis in the City of Thunder Bay, recognizing the urgent risks to life, health, safety, and dignity for people experiencing homelessness; the disproportionate impacts on Indigenous peoples; and the broader implications for community safety and well- being

• Administration be authorized to finalize and issue a joint declaration of humanitarian crisis related to homelessness with Anemki Wajiw (Fort William First Nation) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation
• Administration report back twice a year to the Quality of Life Standing Committee on progress, impacts on community safety and well- being, and outcomes of intergovernmental and partner advocacy
• any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (10): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Against (1): Councillor Albert Aiello Conflict (1): Councillor Brian Hamilton Absent (1): Councillor Kasey Etreni

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.

WITH RESPECT to Report 110-2026 we recommend that in paragraph 3, the Quality of Life Standing Committee be replaced with Special Committee of the Whole

• the following paragraph be added as Paragraph 4: “AND THAT the date of the Special Committee of Whole meeting be established by the Office of the City Clerk.” For (8): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Against (4): Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Greg Johnsen, and Councillor Kristen Oliver Absent (1): Councillor Kasey Etreni

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.

WITH RESPECT to Report 110-2026, we recommend that the Guiding Criteria as outlined in this report be approved

• Administration identify options for designated encampment sites in alignment with Distance Guidelines and Guiding Criteria, recognizing not all criteria may be achievable
• Administration report back to Special Committee of the Whole with consultation results and three recommended sites prior to presentation to City Council
• the date of the Special Committee of Whole meeting be established by the Office of the City Clerk
• any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (1): Councillor Kasey Etreni

Establishment of Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session -

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.

THAT a Special Committee of the Whole –Closed Session meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in order to receive information pursuant to the Municipal Act (Section 239 (2)) relative to: (3.1) A meeting of a council or local board or of a committee of either of them may be closed to the public if the following conditions are both satisfied: 1. The meeting is held for the purpose of educating or training the members; 2. At the meeting, no member discusses or otherwise deals with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of the council, local board or committee. 2006, c. 32, Sched. A, s. 103 (1)

• with respect to the Memorandum from Krista Power, Director – Legislative Services & City Clerk, dated February 17, 2026, we recommend that the Finance & Administration Standing Committee be rescheduled from March 24, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. to March 10, 2026 at 4:30 p.m
• the Quality of Life Standing Committee be rescheduled from March 10, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. to March 24, 2026 at 7:00 p.m
• any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Kasey Etreni, and Councillor Kristen Oliver