2022–2026 Term · Tuesday
January 13, 2026
City Council Meeting
Motions
Confirmation of Agenda
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.
WITH RESPECT to the January 13, 2026 City Council, we recommend that the agenda as printed, including any additional information and new business, be confirmed. For (13): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino
John Street Road.
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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 005-2026 – Growth – Development Services – Planning Services, we recommend that the Zoning By-law be temporarily amended for a period of 20 years, on the subject lands, being Mining Location K EPT Registered Plan 55R-12151 PART 5, municipally addressed as 1755 John Street Road, by adding Site Specific Provision No. 113 to Schedule “B’ as follows: SP113: Site-specific provision 113 The following provisions apply to lands zoned RUSP113: a. In addition to the uses permitted in Section 1.1.1.2b, a Garden Suite shall also be permitted, provided it is removed on or before January 13, 2046.
- any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (13): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino
Council Appointment - Accessibility Advisory Committee
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.
WITH RESPECT to the confidential memorandum from Krista Power, Director of Legislative Services and City Clerk, dated January 6, 2026 relative to Council appointment to the Accessibility Advisory Committee, we recommend that Mayor Ken Boshcoff be appointed to replace the vacancy created by the resignation of Councillor Hamilton
- this appointment remain in effect for the remainder of a 4 year term expiring November 14, 2026, or until such time as a replacement has been appointed. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (1): Councillor Brian Hamilton
Vote breakdown (12-0)
2026 Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program
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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 022-2026-Community Services-Recreation & Culture, we recommend that Operating Grant requests be capped at 22% of an organization’s total budget, up to a maximum of $40,000
- the total cap for the Operating Grant category remain at $220,000 for the 2027 intake
- seed funding requests in the Project Grant category be capped at $3,000
- the revised Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program Model be approved as attached to reflect changes to the Operating Grant cap and new program governance structure
- final Review Team recommendations, including funding appeal outcomes, be reflected in the proposed 2026 Operating Budget for Council’s consideration
- any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (1): Councillor Kristen Oliver
Vote breakdown (11-0)
Consent Agenda Resolution
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.
WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the January 13, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: - Minutes of Previous Council Meetings - December 2, 2025 and December 16, 2025 - Minutes of Previous Committee of the Whole (Closed Session) Meetings - December 2, 2025 and December 16, 2025 - Finance & Administration Standing Committee Minutes - December 9, 2025 and January 6, 2026 - Quality of Life Standing Committee Minutes - December 16, 2025 - Red River Ward Meeting Minutes - October 16, 2025 - City of Thunder Bay Appeals Tribunal Minutes - Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Minutes - Thunder Bay District Health Unit Board of Health Minutes - Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee Minutes - 2025 Unsuccessful Tax Sale Properties - Animal Services Taskforce Update - Amendment to 2026-2027 Fire Services Capital Projects - Appointment of Acting Fire Chief - Tbaytel Dividend Model - Build Canada Strong - Buy Canadian with VIA Rail Procurement For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Kristen Oliver
Vote breakdown (11-0)
Surplus Declaration - Call for Proposals – 4 Opportunity Sites
Council declared four vacant city-owned properties as surplus to city needs and opened them for development proposals. The properties are located at 144 Fanshaw Street, 300 Tokio Street, 211-223 Tupper Street & 224 Camelot Street, and 791 Arundel Street. All four sites will be subject to site plan control requirements.
WITH RESPECT to Report 29-2026 we recommend that the City’s interest in the vacant property, being PCL BLOCK-1 SEC M325; BLK L PL M325 MCINTYRE; THUNDER BAY (B25), municipally known as 144 Fanshaw Street, be declared surplus to the City’s requirements pursuant to the City’s policies and be designated as an area of site plan control
- the City’s interest in the vacant property, being PT LT 4, CON A, BEING PT OF PTS 1, 2, & 3 55R-10186, PT OF PICTON AVENUE PL M37 BEING PTS 7 & 8 55R-9082 CLOSED BY LT135107, LTS 81-107 PL M37, LTS 113 – 125 PL M37, PT LT 108 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 13 55R- 9082, PT LT 109 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 12 55R-9082, PT LTS 110 & 111 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 11 55R-9082, PT LT 112 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 10 55R- 9082, PT OF JUNOT AVENUE PL M37, BEING PTS 5, 6 & 13 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF PICTON AVE PL M37, BEING PT 2 55R- 2984 PT LT 112 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 10 55R-9082, PT OF JUNOT AVENUE PL M37, BEING PTS 5, 6 & 13 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF PICTON AVE PL M37, BEING PT 2 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF TOKIO STREET PL M37, BEING PT OF PT 14 55R- 2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF TOKIO STREET PL M37, BEING PT OF PT 15 55R-2984 CLOSED BY F53897, PT OF LANES PL M37, BEING PTS 3 & 4 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF JUNOT AVENUE PL M37, BEING PT 12 55R-2984 CLOSED BY F53897; CITY OF THUNDER BAY (D79), municipally known as 300 Tokio Street be declared surplus to the City’s requirements pursuant to the City’s policies and be designated as an area of site plan control
- the City’s interest in the vacant property, being PT LT 2 N/S CAMERON ST PL PRINCE ARTHUR'S LANDING MCINTYRE AS IN TBR395999 EXCEPT ROW THEREIN; THUNDER BAY, PT LT 2 N/S CAMERON ST PL PRINCE ARTHUR'S LANDING MCINTYRE PT 1 & 2, 55R4011; THUNDER BAY, PT LT 3 N/S CAMERON ST PL PRINCE ARTHUR'S LANDING MCINTYRE AS IN TBR308776; THUNDER BAY, PT LT 3 N/S CAMERON ST PL PRINCE ARTHUR'S LANDING MCINTYRE AS IN TBR245426 & TBR264692; THUNDER BAY (E103), municipally known as 211-223 Tupper Street & 224 Camelot Street, be declared surplus to the City’s requirements pursuant to the City’s policies and be designated as an area of site plan control
- the City’s interest in the vacant property, being PT LT C, PL PA59, S OF ARUNDEL ST, E OF 55R3639 EXCEPT PL 818; THUNDER BAY (E104), municipally known as 791 Arundel Street, be declared surplus to the City’s requirements pursuant to the City’s policies and be designated as an area of site plan control
- any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. 9.2 Surplus Declaration - Call for Proposals - 4 Opportunity Sites – Request to Vote on Separately It was requested that each of the 4 opportunity sites be voted on separately.
Surplus Declaration - Call for Proposals - 4 Opportunity Sites –
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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 29-2026 we recommend that the City’s interest in the vacant property, being PCL BLOCK-1 SEC M325; BLK L PL M325 MCINTYRE; THUNDER BAY (B25), municipally known as 144 Fanshaw Street, be declared surplus to the City’s requirements pursuant to the City’s policies and be designated as an area of site plan control; For (13): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino
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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 29-2026 we recommend that the City’s interest in the vacant property, being PT LT 4, CON A, BEING PT OF PTS 1, 2, & 3 55R-10186, PT OF PICTON AVENUE PL M37 BEING PTS 7 & 8 55R- 9082 CLOSED BY LT135107, LTS 81-107 PL M37, LTS 113 – 125 PL M37, PT LT 108 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 13 55R-9082, PT LT 109 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 12 55R-9082, PT LTS 110 & 111 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 11 55R-9082, PT LT 112 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 10 55R-9082, PT OF JUNOT AVENUE PL M37, BEING PTS 5, 6 & 13 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF PICTON AVE PL M37, BEING PT 2 55R-2984 PT LT 112 PL M37 EXCEPT PT 10 55R-9082, PT OF JUNOT AVENUE PL M37, BEING PTS 5, 6 & 13 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF PICTON AVE PL M37, BEING PT 2 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF TOKIO STREET PL M37, BEING PT OF PT 14 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF TOKIO STREET PL M37, BEING PT OF PT 15 55R- 2984 CLOSED BY F53897, PT OF LANES PL M37, BEING PTS 3 & 4 55R-2984 CLOSED BY LT135107, PT OF JUNOT AVENUE PL M37, BEING PT 12 55R-2984 CLOSED BY F53897; CITY OF THUNDER BAY (D79), municipally known as 300 Tokio Street be declared surplus to the City’s requirements pursuant to the City’s policies and be designated as an area of site plan control; For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Against (1): Councillor Rajni Agarwal
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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 29-2026 we recommend that the City’s interest in the vacant property, being PT LT 2 N/S CAMERON ST PL PRINCE ARTHUR'S LANDING MCINTYRE AS IN TBR395999 EXCEPT ROW THEREIN; THUNDER BAY, PT LT 2 N/S CAMERON ST PL PRINCE ARTHUR'S LANDING MCINTYRE PT 1 & 2, 55R4011; THUNDER BAY, PT LT 3 N/S CAMERON ST PL PRINCE ARTHUR'S LANDING MCINTYRE AS IN TBR308776; THUNDER BAY, PT LT 3 N/S CAMERON ST PL PRINCE ARTHUR'S LANDING MCINTYRE AS IN TBR245426 & TBR264692; THUNDER BAY (E103), municipally known as 211-223 Tupper Street & 224 Camelot Street, be declared surplus to the City’s requirements pursuant to the City’s policies and be designated as an area of site plan control; For (13): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino
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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 29-2026 we recommend that the City’s interest in the vacant property, being PT LT C, PL PA59, S OF ARUNDEL ST, E OF 55R3639 EXCEPT PL 818; THUNDER BAY (E104), municipally known as 791 Arundel Street, be declared surplus to the City’s requirements pursuant to the City’s policies and be designated as an area of site plan control
- any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Against (1): Councillor Rajni Agarwal
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Reserve Fund Request
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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 16-2026-Corporate Services-Finance, we recommend that up to $93,000 be allocated to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Inc. for eligible engineering consulting costs, with financing from the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Capital Reserve Fund
- 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 Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino
Establishment of Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session -
Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for February 3, 2026 to discuss sensitive municipal matters including potential land purchases or sales, confidential business information, and negotiation strategies.
THAT a Special Committee of the Whole – Closed Session meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in order to receive information pursuant to the Municipal Act (Section 239 (2)) relative to: (c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; (j) a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has monetary value or potential monetary value; and (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board. 2001, c. 25, s. 239.