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Thunder Bay District selected for provincial immigration initiative

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The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) says the Thunder Bay district will take part in a provincial immigration program aimed at helping employers address workforce shortages and attract skilled talent.

The region has secured participation in Ontario’s Regional Economic Development through Immigration, or REDI, initiative for 2026-2027. Delivered through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, the initiative is designed to help rural and northern communities attract and retain internationally trained workers.

As part of the program, the Thunder Bay District is expected to receive an allocation of 150 immigration nominations in 2027. The nominations can help eligible foreign workers obtain permanent residency while providing local employers with another avenue to recruit skilled employees.

“Being selected to participate in the REDI initiative is an important opportunity for Thunder Bay and the surrounding region. Access to skilled talent is essential to supporting business growth, attracting investment and strengthening our regional economy. Immigration plays an important role in addressing workforce challenges, and this initiative provides another valuable tool to help local employers access the talent they need while welcoming newcomers who will contribute to the long-term prosperity of our communities.”

Jamie Taylor, CEO, Thunder Bay CEDC

The REDI initiative is also expected to encourage collaboration among regional partners, increase awareness of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and support long-term economic development throughout the Thunder Bay district.

Employers and stakeholders interested in learning more or arranging a consultation can contact the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program at immigration.ontario@ontario.ca.

Left to right - Heather Cranston, Designer and Jamie Taylor, CEO

Thunder Bay CEDC launches welcome guide for new residents

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Newcomers to Thunder Bay now have a new resource to help them get settled in.

The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has launched Welcome Home: A Guide to Thunder Bay Living, its first welcome guide developed specifically for people moving to the city.

The guide provides information on local services, shopping, arts and culture and other resources newcomers may need during their first days, weeks and months in Thunder Bay.

“Relocating to a new city is one of life’s biggest transitions, and it can be overwhelming,” said CEDC CEO Jamie Taylor. “Our goal is to make that experience less stressful by making it easier for newcomers to navigate local services, connect with the community, and settle into Thunder Bay.”

The guide is divided into four sections: Thunder Bay Overview, City & Services, Shopping and Art & Culture.

CEDC says the resource is intended for people relocating for work, education or other opportunities, as well as employers and organizations helping newcomers settle in the city.

Taylor is encouraging local employers to include the guide as part of their onboarding process for new employees.

The initiative is part of CEDC’s efforts to attract and retain workers by making it easier for newcomers and their families to establish themselves in Thunder Bay.

The guide is available digitally through the CEDC’s Go To Thunder Bay website, while printed copies are available through the organization.

man holding book on road during daytime

Thunder Bay unemployment 1.5% below national average

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The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) presented the results of their Labour Market Outlook Study to more than 15 major local employers last week.

Here are the numbers as of October 2025:

  • Labour Force: 64,600 individuals
  • Employed: 61,100
  • Unemployed: 3,500
  • Employment Rate: 61.3%
  • Unemployment Rate: 5.4%

Thunder Bay is significantly below the national unemployment rate of 6.9%.

The study was conducted by Dr. Camillo Lento, Dr. Robert Petrunia, and Dr. Karl Skogstad of Lakehead University. The CEDC says the results show a strong Thunder Bay workforce.

“Through this work, the CEDC aims to support a resilient and adaptive local economy, one where residents have access to meaningful employment opportunities and employers can effectively meet their workforce requirements,” the CEDC wrote in a press release. “The findings are intended to guide collaborative action that strengthens the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the Thunder Bay region.”

At the meeting, experts anticipated notable labor shortages in the health and trades, transport and equipment operator sectors. The CEDC says these patterns reflect the combined effects of population aging, increased retirements, and rising demand for health care services.

“The session is really about getting everyone in the same room and on the same page,” said CEDC CEO Jamie Taylor. “We regularly engage our major employers through community meetings like this to ensure we are supporting their needs while also responding to the broader needs of our community.”

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Charla Robinson and CEDC CEO Jamie Taylor

Online workshops support growth in burgeoning defence sector

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Thunder Bay’s Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) is hosting two online workshops for local businesses looking to get into the defence sector.

As Canada amps up its defence procurement initiatives, the workshops will focus in on how businesses can benefit from involving themselves in Canada’s new defence strategy, and exactly what sort of opportunities are available.

“We are actively exploring opportunities that position Thunder Bay companies to benefit from Canada’s growing defence sector,” said Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC. “Through strategic investment, collaboration, and business support, our goal is to strengthen the local economy and create long-term opportunities for our community.”

There two information sessions are:

  • February 18 at 8:30 AM: ITB Policy — Learn how the Industrial and Technological Benefits policy can help your business access international supply chains. Register here.
  • March 11 at 8:30 AM: Resources and Tools for Understanding the Defence Sector — Discover what Canada is purchasing for defence, identify key contractors, and access essential resources. Register here.

The CEDC encourages business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in learning more about opportunities in Canada’s defence sector to join these sessions.

charla

Northern Ontario open for business

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Northwestern Ontario businesses are networking and building partnerships after Wednesday’s Prosperity Northwest conference at the Valhalla Hotel.

The annual trade show is a collaboration between the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and Anishnawbe Business Professional Association.

Chamber of Commerce President Charla Robinson says there are major economic opportunities on the horizon in the region.

“All industries are going through massive transformation and innovation,” Robinson said. “That’s sort of changing the way business is operating, particularly in mining and forestry. There’s a lot of new technology which opens it up for new suppliers and sources.”

Keynote speakers shared advice for accessing federal procurement opportunities after Canada increased their defence budget this year. An update on the ongoing lithium refinement project was also provided.

Robinson says the conference is important for business leaders to meet the right people, expand their enterprises and ultimately grow the economy.

“The first thing is you need to know who to talk to, and you need to know where the start of the pathway is,” Robinson said. “We’ve got the Innovation Centre, we’ve got the CEDC (Community Economic Development Centre), we’ve got FedNor (Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario). They’re all represented here.”

Founding member Jason Thompson says there was a “buzz in the room” at Prosperity Northwest this year (Jacob Henriksen-Willis/January 28 2026)

Founding member Jason Thompson says the conference is a great way for Indigenous-lead businesses to broaden their reach.

“I’ve always said our people are not anti-development,” Thompson said. “This conference is a great catalyst for getting out here, actively participating, meeting different people, and seeing where the opportunities lie.”

Jamie Taylor

CEDC unveils strategic plan for five years of growth

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Thunder Bay’s Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) is focusing on business, community, and tourism as three key pillars for producing economic growth over the next half-decade.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, CEDC CEO Jamie Taylor presented the commission’s new strategic plan, which is meant to align with the goals of the city’s new Smart Growth Action Plan.

The five-year mission calls for growing the city’s population, improving the city’s attractiveness for migrants from both inside and outside of Canada, making the city more appealing for business investment, and creating a more consistent output for tourism events and destinations across all four seasons.

When it comes to business investment, Taylor calls for the city to take a precise approach by focusing on specific fields, such as critical minerals.

She wants Thunder Bay to “make sure that we are the hub of northwestern Ontario for mining,” which means having the necessary business infrastructure in the city to make it appealing to set up shop in the region.

Along with much of northern Ontario, Thunder Bay finds itself in a position unique to the region, with significant labour shortages that make Canada’s reduced immigration targets problematic.

Taylor says the CEDC wants to see a continuation of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) program, which offers residency pathways for skilled workers who are willing to settle in smaller locales.

She explains that the RCIP helps ensure that people who come to Thunder Bay stay in Thunder Bay:

“We don’t just want people to be here for a few years. We want them to establish themselves in our community and be here for the long haul.”

The final pillar of the CEDC’s plan is tourism, which calls for Thunder Bay to position itself “as Canada’s premier outdoor city,” in the plan’s own words.

Taylor suggests the city look at sporting events, conferences and conventions as ways to bring travellers to the city in slower months, which she says “helps us to have a full, robust, year-round tourism sector.”

The new strategic plan can be viewed on the CEDC website.