Thunder Bay residents have another opportunity to provide feedback on the city’s Smart Growth Action Plan.
The city is hosting a town hall about the plan on Monday night at the Italian Cultural Centre.
The goal of the plan is to encourage people to move to the city, which would grow the tax base and strengthen the workforce locally.
A draft of the plan was initially presented to city council on October 21 and the Growth Standing Committee on October 28.
The item is scheduled to return to council in early December for approval.
The plan’s development was guided by the Task Force of Growth, which includes the Community Economic Development Commission, and a coalition of leaders representing local businesses, institutions, Indigenous organizations, utility providers, and community groups.
It was also informed by focused working groups from residents across the city.
“Reaching this milestone reflects the strong collaboration and shared commitment behind the Smart Growth Action Plan,” said the Commissioner of Growth, Kerri Marshall.
“The draft Plan brings together community voices and shared priorities into a clear roadmap for sustainable growth. This is an opportunity for everyone to review the Plan, share their feedback, and help shape Thunder Bay’s future together.”
The town hall is running from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The city government developed the plan in acknowledgement that Thunder Bay’s economic growth rate is too low, and crucially, far below the rate of inflation.
City councillors were presented with a plan outlining methods for achieving a higher growth rate, with an emphasis on key objectives the city should aim to meet.
The plan suggests that the city should be growing its population by one per cent annually and its property tax base by three per cent annually, and should aim to reach these targets within ten years.
At the meeting, City Manager John Collin explained to councillors that approximately 85% of the city’s property tax comes from residential use, leaving just 15% from industrial and commercial properties.
Collin stressed that increasing the city’s property tax base by three per cent yearly will require increasing the ratio of industrial and commercial property zoned in the city. He argued that developing more housing will help the city grow, but not nearly enough to meet its growth targets.
“Basically, the number of housing units we would have to build per year is categorically unachievable. We have to shift the balance,” Collin said. “We don’t need to shift it by much. One or two percentage points makes a huge difference.”
As long as the city continues to grow its tax base at a rate below inflation, it will have to either raise taxes or cut services to keep up with costs.
The “how” of the growth plan focuses on methods for enticing industrial and commercial property development in the city.
The plan’s objective is divided into three pillars:
Readiness, representing how quickly new developments can be organized, with an emphasis on “shovel-ready” lands.
Attraction, representing the city’s appeal for residents and tourists, and focusing on safer and cleaner public spaces.
Talent, which covers the city’s ability to bring and retain talented workers.
The plan includes recommendations for lands that could be used for developing industrial and commercial complexes, and an endorsement of the city’s current plans for redeveloping the waterfront and Pool 6 lands.
Councillor Dominic Pasqualino of Northwood Ward made clear that the city should be mindful of its reputation in its effort to attract new businesses and new people.
“I know if I was to move to Canada, I don’t think I would choose a city that has a high crime rate, or where people aren’t very friendly, or where there isn’t much opportunity,” the councillor said after the meeting.
Northwood Ward Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, left, speaks during a City Council Meeting. (Sam Goldstein/October 21, 2025)
A city-wide beautification and cleanup effort will also form a piece of the city’s attempt to attract more money and talent.
A draft of the Smart Growth Action Plan is now publicly available.
A town hall discussing the growth plan will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre on November 3 at 6 p.m.
City Council will vote on whether to implement the plan at a meeting on December 2.
