Thunder Bay City Council - Acadia Broadcasting File
Changes to Thunder Bay’s city council could be on the horizon.
Two options have been selected for citizens and council to consider.
The first is reducing the size of city council to 11 including the mayor.
This option would maintain council’s hybrid makeup, comprised of four wards, with two councillors selected for each ward and two at-large councillors.
The proposed wards are:
- Ward 1 – Northern end of Thunder Bay, bordered by city limits in the north and Dawson Road, shorter stretches of Red River Road and Junot Avenue, and River Street in the south
- Ward 2 – Would run from the Ward 1 border south to Oliver Road/John Street;
- Ward 3 – Would run from Oliver Road/John Street south to Arthur Street, and
- Ward 4 – Would stretch from Arthur Street south to city limits, and include Chippewa Park.
Proposed Wards – Supplied photo via City of Thunder Bay
The committee explained that these boundaries make sense.
They allow for a more holistic approach to city issues with the proposed wards being made up of comparable populations. Having two councillors per ward would also allow for enhanced representation with alternative viewpoints.
The second option is an all-at-large system, with 10 councillors and a mayor covering the whole city.
Thunder Bay City Council currently has 13 members: one mayor, five at-large councillors, and seven ward councillors. The model has been in place since 1985.
Currently, Thunder Bay’s councillors are part-time and both of the proposed options would maintain that.
Moving forward, Phase Two of the process is underway with a public survey and engagement events set to start in October.
The composition committee hopes to deliver its final report to city council between February and March 2025.
The review committee’s next meeting is set for October 1, at noon.
Phase One results are being shared with city council on September 23, at committee of the whole.
