Thunder Bay’s 2026 budget proposal: What you need to know
The city of Thunder Bay is proposing a 4% property tax increase in this year’s Municipal Operating Budget.
That number is higher than the city’s 2.6% target, calculated using Canada’s Consumer Price Index. City Manager John Collin says the discrepancy is due to governing bodies outside of the city’s control.
“The good news is, for this year’s budget, we are coming in at 2.6% for the things that are under the direct control of the municipality,” Collin said. “Regrettably, some of our agents, boards and commissions could not achieve the 2.6% target that we asked them to achieve.”
Police services will see the largest raise at 7.9%. That funding will go towards hiring eight new officers.
“We heard from the community, loud and clear, that what they need is those people on the street. We want to see more officers doing the patrols that need to be done,” Police Chief Darcy Fleury said. “The biggest priority right now is having those boots on the ground.”
The city unveiled a draft of the budget at a special meeting Friday afternoon.
Here are some other key investments and enhancements:
- Enhanced safety and security initiatives, supporting community safety and well-being
- Actions to support the opening of the Tbaytel Multiplex
- Continued rollout of the Autocart waste collection program
- Maintaining operations of recycling depot locations
- Expansion of licensed childcare capacity
- Development of a One Stop Customer Service Shop, streamlining access to City services
- Implementation of the Smart Growth Action Plan
This budget will be reviewed on January 26. You can voice your comments or concerns directly to city council with this online survey. City staff will also pop-up at the Thunder Bay Country Market at the CLE grounds on January 17 from 8am – 1pm and will be receiving citizen feedback on budget-related items.
