ISSUE #132

Good morning,

In today’s issue we cover:

• City to run new turf facility

• Daily Poll - City or 3d party? 

• United Way windfall  

• Win-win plan for First Nation 

• New hospital in Marathon

• OPP nab a ton over long weekend

• Short-lived manhunt

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - 10 acres on Hazelwood! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

City Hall

City to Keep Turf Facility Reins, Committee Says

In a move that surprised approximately no one who has ever dealt with a group project, Thunder Bay's quality of life standing committee has indicated a preference for the city to run its own new indoor turf facility.

The alternative, a third-party for-profit company, was met with the sort of enthusiasm usually reserved for finding a surprise spider in the shower. The sentiment on the committee was clear: if the city is going to spend $36 million on a shiny new toy, it might as well be the one to play with it.

After all, why let some other company swoop in and reap the benefits of all that taxpayer cash? The city's own staff pointed out the pros and cons of both options.

A city-run facility would be able to leverage existing infrastructure and experience, but might struggle with marketing and what to do on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. A private operator could bring in the big bucks, but there were concerns they might not share the city's community-minded goals, and might be a little too focused on the whole "profit" thing.

Ultimately, the committee decided to keep it in the family, so to speak, and the city will now move forward with a plan to run the facility itself, with the grand opening slated for late 2026.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Wednesday’s Results:

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Charity

United Way's Surprise Windfall

The United Way of Thunder Bay recently received a surprise $50,000 donation from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, proving that sometimes, the house does let you win.

The unexpected cash infusion came from the WINTARIO50 Community Contest, which saw 26 United Way branches across the province receive a welcome boost to their coffers.

The CEO of the United Way of Thunder Bay, Albert Brulé, was understandably pleased with the news, and promised to put the money to good use. The funds will be funneled into the "Better is Possible Initiative," which sounds like a much more optimistic version of "it could be worse."

The initiative focuses on three key areas: helping out the kids, tackling homelessness, and making sure everyone has enough to eat. Brulé referred to the donation as a "windfall," which is a much nicer way of saying "a bunch of money we weren't expecting," and pledged to use it to make a real difference in the community.

It just goes to show that sometimes, a little bit of luck can go a long way.

Politics

Poilievre's "Win-Win" Plan for First Nations

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has a plan to get resource development projects moving again, and it involves a little something for everyone.

His big idea is to incentivize First Nations to support development by letting them keep a slice of the corporate tax revenue from projects on their lands. It's a classic "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" scenario, but with a lot more at stake than a simple back scratch.

Poilievre unveiled his plan during a visit to a sawmill in Thunder Bay, where he railed against the evils of bureaucratic red tape and promised to fast-track everything from mines to pipelines. His proposed "Canada Sovereignty Act" would be the key to unlocking all this economic potential, and he's betting that the promise of a steady stream of cash will be enough to get First Nations on board.

Of course, it's not quite that simple. Both the federal and provincial governments have already tried to speed things up, and have been met with a wall of opposition from First Nations and environmental groups.

And with the Marten Falls First Nation currently suing the government over past hydro dam projects, it's clear that it's going to take more than a few tax breaks to smooth things over.

Regional News

Marathon's Newest Jewel

The town of Marathon is celebrating the grand opening of the new Barrick Care Wing at Wilson Memorial General Hospital, a brand-spanking-new 18-bed long-term care facility that's been a long time coming.

The project was made possible by a whole lot of community support, including a generous donation from the nearby Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, as well as funding from the ministries of health and long-term care, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

The new wing is named after the Barrick Mining Corporation, who chipped in a cool million to the cause. The facility is more than just a place for people to live out their golden years; it's a community hub, with a dining room, a recreation room, a chapel, and public washrooms.

It's also a job creator, and will allow long-term care residents to stay in their community, close to family and friends. The hospital, which until now had no long-term care beds, is thrilled to be able to offer this new service, and the mayor is confident that it will be a "great benefit" to the community.

Police

OPP Plays Whack-a-Mole With Lead-Footed Drivers

The Ontario Provincial Police were out in full force over the Thanksgiving long weekend, and they were not handing out turkey.

Instead, they were serving up a heaping helping of traffic tickets as part of "Operation Impact." The focus of the operation was on the "big four" of bad driving habits: speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, impaired driving, and distracted driving.

And it seems there were plenty of people who were more than happy to play along.

The OPP laid a whopping 375 speeding charges over the weekend in the Northwest region alone, which suggests that a lot of people were in a real hurry to get to their Thanksgiving dinners.

In addition to the speeders, the police also nabbed 10 people who couldn't be bothered to buckle up, 20 who had clearly had a little too much Thanksgiving cheer before getting behind the wheel, and five who were more interested in their phones than the road.

Indigenous

A Run for Their Money in Lac Seul

A 22-year-old man from Hamilton learned the hard way that you can run, but you can't hide, especially when the Lac Seul Police Service is on your tail.

The man, who was apparently not on the guest list for the community of Frenchman's Head, was found in a home where he was not supposed to be. When questioned by police, he was uncooperative and gave a false name, which is never a good sign.

When the police tried to arrest him, he allegedly assaulted two officers and then made a break for it, disappearing into the bush. A search was conducted, and the man was eventually found hiding in a "makeshift shed".

A search of the home he was in turned up a large quantity of drugs, with an estimated street value of over fifty-thousand dollars. The man is now facing a laundry list of charges, including assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest, and possession for the purpose of trafficking. He appeared in court and was remanded in custody, which will give him plenty of time to think about his life choices.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

October 17

9th Annual Terror In The Bay Film Festival 
The third day of the film festival, showcasing feature-length and short horror films from around the world. 
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Details to be announced.

Aanikoobijiganag: Thunder Bay Beading Symposium 2025 
Day three of the symposium features advanced workshops, a vendor market, and a community round dance. 
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Location: The Chanterelle Ballroom

Friday Night Magic at The GameShelf 
A weekly gathering for Magic: The Gathering players of all skill levels, typically featuring the Commander format. 
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: The GameShelf, 401 Syndicate Avenue South

October 18

9th Annual Terror In The Bay Film Festival 
The festival continues with a full day of horror screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and industry panels. 
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: Screenings from 12:00 PM onwards
Location: Paramount Theatre, 24 S. Court St

Aanikoobijiganag: Thunder Bay Beading Symposium 2025 
The final day of the symposium, concluding with a public art exhibition, a community feast, and closing ceremonies. 
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: The Chanterelle Ballroom

Thunder Bay Country Market 
A vibrant market featuring over 100 local vendors offering fresh produce, meats, crafts, and prepared foods. 
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Grounds (CLE), Dove Building

Family Story Time at the Library 
A fun, drop-in story time for children and their caregivers, featuring books, songs, and rhymes. 
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Mary J.L. Black Library, 901 S. Edward Street

3rd Annual Climate Gathering - Building Resilience in an Uncertain World
Full-day event designed to unite climate-focused organizations, community leaders, passionate individuals, and those wanting to support a cause.
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Paramount Theatre

October 19

9th Annual Terror In The Bay Film Festival - Final Day & Awards 
The festival concludes with the final block of film screenings followed by the official awards ceremony. 
Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Details to be announced.

An Evening with Bruce Cockburn 
A performance by the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter. 
Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Drive

Sunday Jazz Brunch at The Chanterelle 
Enjoy a delicious brunch buffet accompanied by the soothing sounds of a live jazz trio. 
Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: The Chanterelle, 201 North Court Street

Home of the Day

540 Hazelwood Dr

$599,900
3+2 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
1,215 sq/ft

10 acres with a creek running through the property.