2022–2026 Term · Monday
June 23, 2025
City Council Meeting
Motions
Confirmation of Agenda
Council confirmed the agenda for the June 23, 2025 meeting, including all printed items and any new business that was added.
WITH RESPECT to the June 23, 2025 City Council, we recommend that the agenda as printed, including any additional information and new business, be confirmed.
Ratifying Resolution
Council approved two legal matters: one involving ongoing litigation and another declaring three city-owned properties as surplus (available for sale or other use).
THAT the following ratifying resolution be introduced, read, dealt with individually: 1. Legal Matter – Litigation - Report 2025CLS.033 (Legal Services) 2. Surplus Property Declaration (3 Properties) - Report 2025CLS.026 (Growth - Realty Services
Council proposed asking the province and local MPPs to make safety improvements to the Thunder Bay Expressway—including warning lights for trucks and better traffic signal timing—before allowing a new truck route to go into effect. The motion failed 4-2.
WITH RESPECT to By-law 211-2025 – Designated Truck Route, we recommend that this By-law be referred to Administration for the purpose of collaborating with Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) officials, MPP Holland and MPP Vaugeois to express City Council’s concerns for motorist safety on the Thunder Bay Expressway as it relates to the DTR and acquire commitments that the following safety upgrades will be made to the Expressway prior to the implementation of the DTR: 1. That the south-bound approach to the Oliver Road intersection on the Thunder Bay Expressway be equipped with advance warning lights to alert long-haul truck drivers of an impending red light to ensure they have sufficient notice for a controlled stop. 2. That traffic signal synchronization be explored for the Thunder Bay Expressway to improve the safe travel of long-haul trucks through the many intersections within the city limits that will see large increases in truck traffic.
- Administration report back to City Council with the results of their collaborations with the MTO and local MPP’s regarding these matters so that safety issues on the Expressway are addressed to the satisfaction of Thunder Bay City Council prior to the implementation of the Designated Truck Route.
Vote breakdown (2-4)
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.
WITH RESPECT to By-law 51/2021 A By-law to govern the proceedings of meetings of City Council and its Committees, we recommend that Rule 9.02(a)(1), as set out below, be suspended relative to City Council’s prior decision of May 5, 2025 relative to Report 143-2025: 9. 9.02(a)(1) Introduced at City Council AND THAT if the above noted rule is suspended that requires the timelines of introduction and debate at the subsequent meeting of City Council which allows debate at the same meeting of presentation
- any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification.
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.
WITH RESPECT to Report 143-2025-Growth-Strategy & Engagement, we recommend that Kam River Heritage Park be approved as the site for the Temporary Shelter Village Initiative
- Appropriation Change Order 07-2025 be approved
- the Director, Strategy & Engagement have delegated authority to make decisions regarding operationalizing the Temporary Shelter Village Initiative
- the Director, Strategy & Engagement be authorized to execute documents for the Temporary Shelter Village Initiative and for the duration of the project, on terms satisfactory to the City Solicitor and City Manager
- any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification.
Council asked administration to reconsider where to build the temporary village for people experiencing homelessness, including sites previously discussed. Any bylaw changes needed will come back to council for approval.
WITH RESPECT to the location of the proposed Temporary Village approved within Report 384-2024 (Enhanced Encampment Response – A Human Rights-Based Community Action Plan), we recommend that Administration review alternate locations for the Temporary Village that may include locations previously reviewed by City Council
- any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification.