ISSUE #129

Good morning,

The next issue will come out next Wednesday. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

In today’s issue we cover:

• Forest concerns

• Daily Poll - Worried about the trees? 

• OPG on the move  

• Encampment team gets a new car

• Arenas see reduced hours

• Improved fire training facility

• Manhunt underway

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - Mount Forest Home! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Environment

Forestry Gurus Have Bad News

As the nation's forestry experts gathered in Thunder Bay for their annual get-together, the hot topic was, well, how hot and dry everything is getting.

Scientists are sounding the alarm that Canada's vast forests are drying out at an unprecedented rate, turning them into a tinderbox just waiting for a spark. Even a small uptick in temperature can dramatically reduce the moisture in everything from living trees to dead wood on the forest floor, making the landscape significantly more flammable.

Researchers warn that as we experience more frequent and severe wildfires, we risk overwhelming the natural ability of our forests to bounce back. The strange outcome could be a future with fewer forests, which ironically means fewer fires, but that's hardly a win for ecosystems that rely on fire for their health and renewal.

This new reality demands a major shift in thinking. The old playbook of managing forests primarily for timber value is being tossed out the window. Instead, the focus is turning to a more flexible approach, studying how forests are changing and experimenting with new methods to boost their resilience.

In some areas, the changing climate might surprisingly be good for growth, but in places getting hotter and drier, it's a recipe for disaster. The consensus is clear: we need to be proactive, managing fuel loads and adapting our strategies before the next big blaze hits.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Friday’s Results:

You can download the full results (including comments and there are a lot of them!) here in an Excel file (email addresses have been removed for anonymity).

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A HUGE shoutout to MAGGIE B, for buying Thunder Bay Digest a monthly coffee last issue! We appreciate you! ❤️

Local

OPG’s Big Move to Innova Park

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is making a power move, literally, by relocating its Northwestern Ontario regional operations to Innova Business Park.

The new, high-profile tenant is investing a cool $15 million in a new regional headquarters, which is expected to be up and running by 2027.

The project includes a two-story, $14 million office building and three storage buildings valued at nearly $1.5 million. The move will consolidate OPG's staff and equipment from their current locations on Burwood Road and another leased property in the city.

Construction is already underway, with Tom Jones Corporation leading the charge. This development is a significant addition to Innova Park, bringing a major player in the energy sector to the area.

OPG is responsible for eleven hydroelectric stations and one biomass generator in the Northwest, making this new headquarters a central hub for their operations.

Community

Encampment Team Gets New Wheels

The city's encampment response team is getting a much-needed upgrade: a brand-new vehicle.

City council has approved the purchase of a small truck for the team, at a cost of $60,000. The funding for this new ride comes from Health Canada's emergency treatment fund, so it won't be coming out of the municipal budget.

The dedicated vehicle will allow the team to be more mobile and responsive to encampment-related issues across Thunder Bay. The team's responsibilities include managing encampment sites, connecting residents with support services, responding to community complaints, and coordinating sanitation services.

With their own truck, the team will be able to attend to both existing and newly-identified encampments more quickly and efficiently. This move is a practical step to better equip a team that deals with sensitive and complex situations on a daily basis.

Having a dedicated vehicle means they'll no longer have to rely on fleet vehicles, which will streamline their operations and improve their ability to provide timely assistance.

Outdoors

City Arenas to See Reduced Hours

Thunder Bay's city council has given the green light to reduce the operating hours at two of its indoor ice rinks.

The Neebing arena will see daytime ice bookings cut on weekdays, while the Grandview arena will have reduced hours on Mondays. The decision was made to optimize the use of city facilities and resources, focusing on times when the demand for ice is highest.

The city's sport and community development supervisor assured the council that they have been in contact with the school boards that will be most affected by the changes. The schools have requested to be accommodated at other south-side arenas to minimize travel costs, a request the city believes it can meet.

While the arenas will have reduced hours, there are some exceptions. They can still be used for tournaments, for users who are temporarily displaced from their regular locations, or if the demand for weekday daytime ice increases.

So, while you might have to adjust your schedule for a casual skate, the city is trying to make sure that the ice is available when it's needed most.

Emergency Services

Fire Training Centre to Bulk Up

The Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Training Centre on Hammond Avenue is getting an expansion.

One of the buildings at the facility will be enlarged by about 20 percent to better accommodate training apparatus and other functions. The expansion is partly to meet provincial requirements for urban search and rescue and hazardous material response teams.

The project, with an estimated cost of nearly $750,000, will add another bay to the building. This will provide more space for the specialized equipment and vehicles needed for these provincial response teams. The expansion will be funded in part by provincial dollars, reflecting the regional importance of the training centre.

The facility is used for training city firefighters as well as firefighters from across Northwestern Ontario. Even the Thunder Bay Police Service's emergency task unit uses the site for training.

The addition will allow for better storage and quicker deployment of equipment, especially in emergencies. Imagine trying to load up for a hazardous material call in the middle of a January blizzard; the new indoor space will be a game-changer.

Construction is expected to begin next year, and when it's done, the fire service will have a more robust and efficient training and response facility.

Indigenous

Manhunt Underway in Ginoogaming First Nation

A manhunt is ongoing in the Ginoogaming First Nation area for two armed and dangerous suspects.

The Ontario Provincial Police and the Anishinabek Police Service are on the scene, and a shelter-in-place advisory remains in effect for the community. As a safety precaution, schools in Longlac and Long Lake #58 First Nation have been closed.

The suspects are described as two Black men, one wearing a grey jogging suit with braided hair, and the other wearing black pants and black shoes. Police are urging residents to stay indoors, lock their doors and windows, and avoid unnecessary travel.

Motorists on Highway 11 are also advised to be alert, avoid stopping, and not pick up any hitchhikers. The authorities have acknowledged the anxiety this situation is causing in the community and are taking every precaution to ensure a safe resolution.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police. It's a serious situation, but the community is pulling together and following the guidance of law enforcement.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

October 10

Bigfoot by Ephraim Ellis 
A theatrical production presented by Magnus Theatre. 
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Magnus Theatre, 10 Algoma St S, Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead Thunderwolves VS Laurier Golden Hawks 
The Thunderwolves men's hockey team faces off against the Golden Hawks. 
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Fort William Gardens, 901 Miles St E, Thunder Bay, ON

Bar Polonia - Fridays Live Music 
Enjoy live musical performances. 
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Location: Bar Polonia, 209 Cumberland Street North, Thunder Bay, ON

October 11

Thunder Bay Country Market 
A vibrant market featuring dozens of local farmers, producers, and artisans. 
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: CLE Dove Building, 425 Northern Ave, Thunder Bay, ON

Diwali Night 2025 Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair. This is more than just a cultural festival – it’s a community gathering that fosters understanding, connection, and unity.
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Location: Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Rd, Thunder Bay, ON

Bigfoot by Ephraim Ellis 
A theatrical production presented by Magnus Theatre. 
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Magnus Theatre, 10 Algoma St S, Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead Thunderwolves VS Laurier Golden Hawks 
The second game of the weekend series between the Thunderwolves and the Golden Hawks. 
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Fort William Gardens, 901 Miles St E, Thunder Bay, ON

Home of the Day

1917 Mount Forest Blvd

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

5 bedrooms
3 bathrooms
2,981 sqft

$849,900

Two-story home with double detached garage, large composite deck and more!