Summary

Council expanded where alcohol is allowed in Thunder Bay, approving its use at Waverley Park and Tbaytel Multiplex under updated municipal policy. However, residents hoping for improved bus service this summer were disappointed when council rejected a proposal to adjust transit schedules and gradually restore service levels as staffing recovers. Council also rejected an amendment to allow ball pythons as pets, keeping the snakes prohibited under current animal regulations. In a separate decision, council approved a new operating agreement with Circular Materials to manage the recycling depot on Walsh Street.

Motions

Consent Agenda Resolution

#1

Council confirmed routine administrative items from their March 3, 2026 meeting including previous meeting minutes, committee reports, and board updates. Council also separated the Municipal Alcohol Policy Proposed Updates from this consent agenda to vote on it independently.

WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the March 3, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: - Confirmation of Agenda - March 3, 2026 - Minutes of Previous Council Meetings - February 17, 2026 - Minutes of Previous Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session Meeting - February 17, 2026 - Growth Standing Committee Minutes - February 24, 2026 - CEDC Board Minutes - Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Minutes - Thunder Bay Board of Health Minutes - Mayor's Taskforce on Building More Homes Advisory Committee - Municipal Alcohol Policy Proposed Updates Municipal Alcohol Policy Proposed Updates It was requested that the recommendation relative to Report 112-2026 be extracted from the Consent Agenda Resolution and voted on separately.

Moved by Rajni Agarwal , seconded by Michael Zussino

Alcohol permitted at Waverley Park and Tbaytel Multiplex

#2 CARRIED notable Recorded vote: 11-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng
Absent (2)
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga

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.

WITH RESPECT to Report 112-2026-Community Services-Recreation & Culture, we recommend that Schedule A of the Municipal Alcohol Policy be amended to add the following venues to the list of designated Municipal Facilities, Parks and Open Spaces for Alcohol Use: o Waverley Park o Tbaytel Multiplex

  • the amended Municipal Alcohol Policy be approved and adopted into the Corporate Policy Manual. AND THAT 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 Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Trevor Giertuga, and Councillor Kristen Oliver
Moved by Rajni Agarwal , seconded by Michael Zussino

Consent Agenda Resolution

#3 CARRIED Recorded vote: 11-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng
Absent (2)
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga

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

WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the March 3, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: - Confirmation of Agenda - March 3, 2026 - Minutes of Previous Council Meetings - February 17, 2026 - Minutes of Previous Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session Meeting - February 17, 2026 - Growth Standing Committee Minutes - February 24, 2026 - CEDC Board Minutes - Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Minutes - Thunder Bay Board of Health Minutes - Mayor's Taskforce on Building More Homes Advisory Committee 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 Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Trevor Giertuga, and Councillor Kristen Oliver

Moved by Rajni Agarwal , seconded by Michael Zussino

Transit schedule changes rejected

#4 LOST notable Recorded vote: 4-7
LOST 4–7
Yea (4)
Albert Aiello Aiello
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Nay (7)
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng
Absent (2)
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga

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.

WITH RESPECT to Report 102-2026-Community Services-Transit Services, we recommend that Administration move forward with implementing temporary schedule changes across various conventional transit routes starting May 10, 2026 to reduce the number of unplanned bus cancellations and improve system reliability

  • Administration monitor staffing levels and incrementally increase conventional and specialized transit service levels over the summer and fall when and where feasible as staffing levels recover
  • any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (4): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Kasey Etreni, and Councillor Brian Hamilton Against (7): Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Trevor Giertuga, and Councillor Kristen Oliver
Moved by Brian Hamilton , seconded by Shelby Ch'ng

Circular Materials - Recycling Depot Update and Operations

#5 CARRIED Recorded vote: 11-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng
Absent (2)
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga

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.

WITH RESPECT to Report 103-2026 (Infrastructure & Operations – Environment), we recommend the City of Thunder Bay enter a Depot Operations Agreement with Circular Materials for the 900 Walsh Street Recycling Depot location

  • the Commissioner – Infrastructure & Operations be authorized to execute this Agreement and any other necessary documentation related to the Agreement
  • 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 Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Trevor Giertuga, and Councillor Kristen Oliver
Moved by Greg Johnsen , seconded by Michael Zussino

Ball python pet exemption rejected

#6 LOST notable Recorded vote: 4-6
LOST 4–6
Yea (4)
Albert Aiello Aiello
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng
Nay (6)
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Mark Bentz Bentz
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Absent (2)
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga

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.

In response to Report 120-2026 - Corporate Services - Licensing & Enforcement - Report Back on Deputation Requesting Exemption from Animal Keeping By-law, we recommend that Administration be directed to bring forward an amendment to By-law 120-1983 - Animal Keeping By-law, that would allow for the keeping of ball pythons as pets in the City of Thunder Bay

  • any necessary By-laws be presented to City Council for consideration. For (4): Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Shelby Ch'ng, Councillor Kristen Oliver, and Councillor Dominic Pasqualino Against (6): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Mark Bentz, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, and Councillor Greg Johnsen Absent (2): Councillor Trevor Giertuga, and Councillor Brian Hamilton
Moved by Shelby Ch'ng , seconded by Michael Zussino

Establishment of Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session -

#8 CARRIED Recorded vote: 11-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng
Absent (2)
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga

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.

THAT a Special Committee of the Whole – Closed Session meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 4:30 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; (e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; (f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; and (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. 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 Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Trevor Giertuga, and Councillor Kristen Oliver

Moved by Greg Johnsen , seconded by Dominic Pasqualino

Procedural

#7 CARRIED 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.
Moved by Ken Boshcoff , seconded by Brian Hamilton
#9 CARRIED 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.
Moved by Rajni Agarwal , seconded by Michael Zussino