News

City Fire Dept Ready for Forest Fires

It’s a preparation all of us hope isn’t necessary.

But after the horrific scenes in Fort McMurray, Jasper, and most recently, Los Angeles, the Thunder Bay Fire Department is taking no chances.

Fire Chief David Paxton has said that our local service is taking steps to prepare against forest fires that might encroach on the city.

The department is actively reviewing its capabilities, including identifying the areas where it can use heavy sprinklers and other specialized equipment to defend critical infrastructure.

Thunder Bay Fire is also strengthening mutual aid agreements with other fire services, working on public education and communicating with homeowners on the steps they can take to prepare their properties better.

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue has also invested in upgraded and additional portable pumps and plans to add more.

With 2023 and 2024 having had the most forest burned over the last 25 years, it should be something that’s at the top of everyone's mind.

Daily Poll

Do you think this year will be bad for forest fires?

On Friday I asked if you planned on voting early for the election:

63% of you said YES
34% of you said NO, you’ll wait for election day
3% of you said you don’t plan on voting at all

Today’s question:

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Municipal

Affordable Housing Denied

The Thunder Bay District Social Service Administration Board (TBDSSAB) was denied funding to build affordable housing.

In December that province offered up $50 million to municipalities through its Last Mile funding stream and $20 million for Encampment Response Initiative (ERI).

TBDSSAB applied for both, but only received the ERI funding to the tune of $3.9 million.

TBDSSAB now plans to put the money towards two projects: Grace Place’s facility expansion and the city’s temporary shelter village initiative.

$2.8 million will go to the shelter village, while the remaining $1.1 million will allow Grace Place to add more spaces, including transitional spaces.

Transportation

School Bus Involved in Collision

Thankfully no students were involved in the jarring start to the day.

Just before 8:30am a school bus was part of a two-vehicle collision at River Street and High Street.

One person was taken to hospital as a result of the collision, but thankfully no children were on the bus at the time of the accident.

No details were provided at the time regarding the condition of the person taken to the hospital.

Crime

Violent Crime Leader

It’s a title that none of us want, but, Thunder Bay has the second-highest violent crime rate in Canada.

We are actually on par with many American cities, according to a Fraser Institute report.

The study was jointly done between America and Canada and tracked the period of 2019-2022. The USA takes the top 17 spots.

Canada comes in at number 18 with Winnipeg ranked as the most violent city in Canada, with a violent crime rate of 675.1 per 100,000 people.

Thunder Bay is ranked 29th overall (2nd in Canada), with 546.1 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

Not a distinction any of us are proud of.

Charity

Coldest Night of the Year Beats Goal

The 11th annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk took place on the weekend.

The fundraiser, which aims to bring attention and support to the homeless, was in support of Grace’s Place.

And it had an amazing outcome.

Their goal was to raise $100,000. Before the walk even began participants had raised $110,000. Donations can continue until March 31st.

The anticipated turnout was around 300, but 418 walkers showed up to support and partake.

Grace Place started 17 years ago and it has only seen the need for its services dramatically increase over the years.

That’s awesome, Thunder Bay. Well done!

Indigenous News

Ford Highlights Ring of Fire

Premier Doug Ford made a campaign stop in Thunder Bay this week and he was making big promises around the Ring of Fire.

Ford promised to launch a new First Nations Opportunities Financing Program, which would triple the existing $1 billion provincial program called the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program.

The initiative provides provincial guarantees for loans to Indigenous-owned entities for energy projects.

The focus was heavy on northern Ontario’s mineral deposits.

He also pledged a $70 million expansion of a fund that’s used for consultation with Indigenous communities to then use it for training First Nations workers for resource extraction.

Ford also admitted they need to speed up approvals to start making all this potential rare mineral extraction a reality.

Big promises with huge financial windfalls if they happen.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

International Tapestry Women’s Network
International Women’s Day Pre-Registration Event
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Pre-register by Feb 28
[email protected]
$ FREE

Thunder Bay Swing Dancing Society
Free swing dancing lessons
CD Howe Public School - 30 Wishart Crescent
Feb 24 @ 7pm
$ FREE

Paint and Sip Fundraiser
Fundraiser for Paws for Love Dog Rescue
Wayland Bar & Grill - 1019 Gore St W
Feb 25 @7pm
$45

The New Canadian Curling Club
Live theatre
Magnus Theatre - 10 Algoma St
Feb 25-March 2 @ 7:30pm
$25 - $50

Name That Tune…
Musical trivia and beer
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. - 712 Macdonell St
Feb 26 @ 7pm-9pm
$ FREE

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar
Live musical performance
Shooter’s Tavern - 377 Memorial Ave
Feb 26 @ 8pm
$ FREE

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 27

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke)

• Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 5

• Norteños Cantina

• Polish Combatants’ Association - Branch 1

• The Alley

• The Waterhouse

Acoustic Night
Live music
Norteños Taqueria - 698 Arther St. W.
Feb 28 @ 7pm-10pm
$ FREE

DJ Love
Live music
Woodside Bar - 251 Red River Rd.
Feb 28 @ 8pm
$ FREE

Live@Loch featuring Kelly Daniels
Live music
Loch Lomond Ski Area - 1800 Loch Lomond Rd.
Feb 28 @ 8pm-10pm

Sock Hop with Pat Silvaggio
50s-60s music and dancing
Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 5 - 299 Van Norman St.
Feb 28 @ 8pm-11pm
$5

DTB presents The Birthday Series: Aquarius and Pisces Unite
Live music and dancing
Pocketchange - 234 Red River Road
Feb 28 @9pm
$5

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 28

• The Hodder

• The Social

• The Bar

• The Waterhouse

TBSO Family - Lights, Camera, Music!
Live orchestral music
St. Patrick’s High School (Selkirk Auditorium) - 621 South Selkirk St.
March 1 @ 2pm
$13-$25

Karaoke
Live music
March 1

• Westfort Prosvita

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke)

• The Hodder

• Norteños Taqueria

• The Social

• The Bar

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2 bathrooms
3,100 sqft

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Century home with original woodwork, stained glass windows, many updates.