Summary
Council rejected a request to cut the Police Services Board budget further, with the motion failing 6-7, meaning the force's 2026 spending plan will proceed without additional reductions. The council also updated the Fire Rescue by-law for the first time since 1984 and amended parking enforcement rules, both passing unanimously. A handful of routine administrative items including 311 customer service implementation and housing infrastructure funding were approved through the consent agenda.
Motions
Confirmation of Agenda
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 13–0
Aiello
Foulds
Hamilton
Pasqualino
Johnsen
Etreni
Boshcoff
Oliver
Bentz
Zussino
Agarwal
Ch'ng
GiertugaCouncil 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.
WITH RESPECT to the February 3, 2026 City Council meeting, 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
2026 Budget Minutes Confirmation & Police Budget Revote
#2 notable
Council confirmed the minutes from three budget review meetings held in January 2026 and called for a revote on a previous amendment regarding the Thunder Bay Police Service budget.
The Minutes of the following Meeting of Special Committee of the Whole-2026 Operating Budget, relative to Report 001-2026-Corporate Services-Finance, be confirmed: 1. Special Committee of the Whole - Long Term Financial Overview held on January 22, 2026; 2. Special Committee of the Whole - Operating Budget Review held on January 26, 2026; 3. Special Committee of the Whole - Operating Budget Review held on January 28, 2026. Revote - Amendment to Budget - Request for Reduction - Thunder Bay Police Service A revote was requested on the following resolution, contained within the minutes from January 28, 2026 Committee of the Whole - 2026 Proposed Operating Budget meeting:
Special Committee of the Whole - Operating Budget Review held on January
LOST 6–7
Yea (6) Johnsen Boshcoff Bentz Zussino Agarwal Giertuga
Johnsen Boshcoff Bentz Zussino Agarwal GiertugaNay (7) Aiello Foulds Hamilton Pasqualino Etreni Oliver Ch'ng
Aiello Foulds Hamilton Pasqualino Etreni Oliver Ch'ngCouncil 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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 001-2026-Corporate Services-Finance, the proposed 2026 Operating Budget for tax and rate-supported operations, we recommend that a request for further reductions be directed to the Thunder Bay Police Services Board for their consideration
- the Chief of Police be requested to provide further information and/or potential reductions, cost savings and/or adjustments to the Thunder Bay Police Service’s 2026 Operating submission to the Commissioner of Corporate Services/City Treasurer by Monday, February 9, 2026
- a Special Committee of the Whole – Budget meeting be established to precede the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 to consider this information and approve potential changes
- ratification of the proposed 2026 Operating Budget for tax and rate- supported operations be deferred to Tuesday, February 17, 2026
- any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (6): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Greg Johnsen, and Councillor Michael Zussino Against (7): Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Kristen Oliver, and Councillor Dominic Pasqualino
Budget meeting minutes confirmation
CARRIED 12–1
Yea (12) Aiello Foulds Hamilton Pasqualino Johnsen Etreni Boshcoff Oliver Bentz Zussino Agarwal Ch'ng
Aiello Foulds Hamilton Pasqualino Johnsen Etreni Boshcoff Oliver Bentz Zussino Agarwal Ch'ngNay (1) Giertuga
GiertugaCouncil 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.
The Minutes of the following Meeting of Special Committee of the Whole, be confirmed: 1. Special Committee of the Whole - Long Term Financial Overview held on January 22, 2026; 2. Special Committee of the Whole - Operating Budget Review held on January 26, 2026; 3. Special Committee of the Whole - Operating Budget Review held on January 28, 2026. 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 Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Against (1): Councillor Trevor Giertuga
Consent agenda approval - minutes and reports
City Council confirmed multiple meeting minutes, committee reports, and administrative items from recent meetings. This includes approval of the 311 customer service implementation, housing infrastructure funding for water projects, and various advisory committee minutes. One councillor declared a conflict of interest and abstained from voting on youth and cultural funding.
WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the February 3, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: City Council Minutes - January 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole Minutes (Closed Session) - January 13, 2026 Quality of Life Standing Committee Minutes - January 27, 2026 Growth Standing Committee Minutes - January 27, 2026 The District of Social Services Administration Board Minutes Mayor's Taskforce on Building More Homes Advisory Committee Minutes Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes - November 12, 2025 Community Safety & Wellbeing Advisory Committee - November 26, 2025 Board of Health Minutes - December 17, 2025 311 Implementation Authorization - Report 046-2026-Growth-Customer Service Community Partnership Fund Grant Award - Report 041-2026-Corporate Services-Finance Update - Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy - Report 040-2026-Corporate Services-Finance Approval for Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program Funding for Feeder Watermain Projects Eye on the Street Annual Report 2024 - Report 072-2026-Growth Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Establishing and Regulating By-law Report - Report 066-2026-Infrastructure & Operations-Thunder Bay Fire Rescue It was requested that the January 13, 2026 City Council meeting minutes be voted on separately. Councillor Albert Aiello declared a conflict relative to Report 22-2026-Community Youth & Cultural Funding Program within the January 13, 2026 City Council meeting minutes and refrained from discussing or voting on the following resolution. Consent Agenda Resolution – Items 2 to 15
Consent agenda approval - multiple routine items
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Aiello Foulds Hamilton Pasqualino Johnsen Boshcoff Oliver Bentz Zussino Agarwal Ch'ngAbsent (2) Etreni Giertuga
Etreni GiertugaCouncil 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.
WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the February 3, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: Committee of the Whole Minutes (Closed Session) - January 13, 2026 Quality of Life Standing Committee Minutes - January 27, 2026 Growth Standing Committee Minutes - January 27, 2026 The District of Social Services Administration Board Minutes Mayor's Taskforce on Building More Homes Advisory Committee Minutes Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes - November 12, 2025 Community Safety & Wellbeing Advisory Committee - November 26, 2025 Board of Health Minutes - December 17, 2025 311 Implementation Authorization - Report 046-2026-Growth-Customer Service Community Partnership Fund Grant Award - Report 041-2026-Corporate Services-Finance Update - Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy - Report 040-2026-Corporate Services-Finance Approval for Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program Funding for Feeder Watermain Projects Eye on the Street Annual Report 2024 - Report 072-2026-Growth Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Establishing and Regulating By-law Report - Report 066-2026-Infrastructure & Operations-Thunder Bay Fire Rescue For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Kasey Etreni, and Councillor Trevor Giertuga
Approval of January 13 Council Minutes
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 9–0
Foulds Hamilton Pasqualino Johnsen Boshcoff Oliver Bentz Agarwal Ch'ngAbsent (2) Etreni Giertuga
Etreni GiertugaCity 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.
WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the February 3, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: City Council Minutes - January 13, 2026 For (10): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Conflict (1): Councillor Albert Aiello Absent (2): Councillor Kasey Etreni, and Councillor Trevor Giertuga
Contract Related Matter
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Aiello Foulds Hamilton Pasqualino Johnsen Boshcoff Oliver Bentz Agarwal Ch'ng GiertugaAbsent (2) Etreni Zussino
Etreni ZussinoCouncil 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.
WITH RESPECT to the Confidential Memorandum from Supervisor-Sport and Community Development Paul Burke dated January 23, 2026 we recommend that Administration proceed as directed in Closed Session. 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 Kristen Oliver, and Councillor Dominic Pasqualino Absent (2): Councillor Kasey Etreni, and Councillor Michael Zussino
Establishment of Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session -
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Aiello Foulds Hamilton Pasqualino Johnsen Boshcoff Oliver Bentz Zussino Agarwal GiertugaAbsent (2) Etreni Ch'ng
Etreni Ch'ngCouncil 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.
THAT a Special Committee of the Whole – Closed Session meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in order to receive information pursuant to the Municipal Act (Section 239 (2)) relative to: (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; (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; (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. For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, 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 Shelby Ch'ng, and Councillor Kasey Etreni
Procedural
#9 CARRIED 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.
#11 CARRIED 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.
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