News

Big Housing Goals

The City of Thunder Bay wants to build (see what I did there…) on the momentum of 2024 and see 350 new homes started in 2025.

Last year the goal set by the province was to start 187. The actual number that were started was 256.

The city assumes this years target will be in the 200 range, but they admit that in order to meet the housing requirements for Thunder Bay, they need to crank out 350 or more.

Thunder Bay has also seen a drop in the number of single-family houses that have been started in the past several years, with a shift towards more multi-unit residential buildings.

This all ties in with the housing accelerator fund. And obviously the more you build, the better your chances of getting money.

For 2024 there was $8 million dispersed through the program.

It’s a good time to be in a skilled trade!

Daily Poll

Optimistic about Thunder Bay Growth?

So the gun offender tracking system question was an overwhelming YES from you guys. 97% want to see the TBPS use this new tool. Maybe advocate to your Councillor to help get it moving!

Today’s question deals with all the growth that everyone says Thunder Bay and the north is experiencing:

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A MESSAGE FROM - US - THUNDER BAY DIGEST!

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I started this newsletter because I always enjoyed writing, and I thought maybe others would be interested in knowing what’s going on in their city like I do.

It’s been a smashing success.

Now that we’ve grown, we’re starting to get people asking about advertising.

So we’re opening up our space for businesses that want to get their message out to our engaged readers.

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If you, or someone you know, would be interested in getting in front of a captive Thunder Bay/NWO audience, please send us an email at [email protected] 

Let’s help Thunder Bay businesses grow while we continue to promote and highlight the positives happening in our city!

Seniors

New License Renewal Process

Are you 80 and over and still driving?

First off, good of you! Secondly, I have some good news here:

The province is simplifying the steps anyone 80 years-of-age and older needs to take in order to renew their driver’s license.

Currently those drivers have to visit a separate location to complete their assessments before visiting ServiceOntario.

Now they’ll receive a renewal notice roughly 90 days before their license expires with instructions to book an appointment online or by phone.

All the necessary assessments will then be completed at their scheduled visit.

This will take effect starting February 3.

Police

Big Drug Bust

This past Wednesday was a very busy day for multiple different police organizations and divisions.

Thunder Bay police’s emergency task unit, the OPP K9 unit, the OPP’s Thunder Bay community street crime unit, and the multi-agency repeat offender parole enforcement (ROPE) squad searched a local residence.

And boy did they find stuff!

They seized hundreds of grams of cocaine and methamphetamine, weigh scales and money. They also arrested three people at the scene.

Later that day, the ROPE squad stropped a vehicle and arrested the driver and passenger, finding more cocaine, money and a magazine for a handgun.

And the fun didn’t end there!

The next day they OPP said multiple police units executed another search warrant at a Thunder Bay Home and found more crystal meth, a loaded handgun and a pair of rifles.

5 people have been charged and taken into custody.

Immigration

Thunder Bay Selected for Pilot Program

Thunder Bay has been selected as a site for a new immigration pilot program.

The city and surrounding area has been granted up to 200 guaranteed nominations for people who want to become permanent residents.

The Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) made the announcement last week.

The province’s regional economic development through immigration pilot is a year-long initiative that aims to bolster the immigration of skilled workers to areas of the province outside of the GTA (because yes, there is more to the province than just the GTA).

Now not to be negative-Nelly here, but hopefully this actually leads to skilled workers coming and find jobs. If you remember a bunch of issues back there was a study done showing that skilled works arrived in the north, but ended up taking low paying jobs.

Fingers crossed we continue to expand our cultural horizons, while growing our skilled work force!

Municipal

Thunder Bay Tax Hike

The City of Thunder Bay has released its operating budget for 2025 and it’s calling for a tax levy increase of 3.7%.

But they want you to know you should feel good about that amount!

The city says Thunder Bay and Ottawa may be the only cities with 100,000 or more people that came with a proposed tax increase of sub-4%.

I think what they fail to realize is that we already have some of the highest property taxes relative to property value anywhere.

The proposed budget is $448.8 million, an increase of $17.8 million over 2024.

A few highlights for investments aimed at enhancing services include:

• $1.7 million into a newly established Assessment Growth Reserve fund to support future growth opportunities

• $1.2 million for a temporary homeless shelter village

• Adding to the Superior North EMS Reserve Fund to replace ambulances

• $1.1 million to create a Solid Waste and Recycling Reserve Fund for future levy impacts of provisionally mandated organics (green bin) program

Indigenous News

NAPS Issues Cyberbullying Warning

NAPS, the police service that serves 34 northern Ontario communities, has put out a public safety advisory about ongoing and increasing incidents of cyberbullying.

The advisory has been issued due to an observed increase in recent weeks in cyberbullying in many of the communities it serves.

The issue is especially acute in remote First Nations communities where youth are particularly vulnerable.

The youth suicide rate in First Nations youth are an estimated six times higher than non-indigenous youth.

For far north communities that estimated increase is 11 times higher.

NAPS will be investigating all reported cases and are encourage parents, teachers and guardians to speak to their children about cyberbullying.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

Karaoke
Live music
The Foundry
Jan 21 @ 8:30pm
$ FREE

Name That Tune
Trivia & beer
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.
Jan 22 @ 7pm-9pm
$ FREE

Swing Dancing
Learn swing dancing with instructors
The Foundry
Jan 23 @ 7:30pm
$ FREE

Karaoke
Live music
Jan 23

• How at the Moon (sober karaoke)

• Norteños Cantina

• Polish Combatants’ Association - Branch 1

• The Waterhouse

• The Alley

Live@Loch Featuring Richard Veurink
Live music & skiing
Loch Lomond Ski Area
Jan 24 @ 8pm-10pm
$ FREE

30+ Friday Nights
Night club
Armani’s Night Club
Jan 24 @ 9pm
$ FREE

Rock the Post
Live music
The Outpost
Jan 24 @ 9pm
$10

The Cover Show 31
Live music with 10 bands over 2 nights
Black Pirates Pub
Jan 24-25 @ 9pm
$15

Karaoke
Live music
Jan 24

• The Bar

• The Waterhouse

• Norteños Cantina (karaoke contest)

Cambrian Players Improv Show
Live improv show
Cambrian Players
Jan 25 @ 7:30pm-9:30pm

Who Made Who: A Tribute to ACDC
Live music
eVents
Jan 25 @ 8pm
$TBA

Karaoke
Live music
Jan 25

• The Westfort Prosvita

• Norteños Taqueria

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke)

• The Social

• The Bar

Home of the Day

111 Mickelson Drive

(Realtors if you want your home featured - send us an email: [email protected])

4 bedrooms
3+1 bathrooms
3,000 sq ft

$1,299,800

Stunning Lake Superior custom built home!