ISSUE #117

Good morning,

In today’s issue, we cover:

• Strike ended

• Daily Poll - Acted too fast?

• Ship repair  

• Another roundabout coming soon

• Jaywalking solution coming

• Mine planning to restart

• Indigenous face procurement barriers

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - One owner custom built home! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

News

Tentative Deal Ends Air Canada Strike

Air Canada’s flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement with the airline, ending a brief national strike and allowing flights to start returning to schedule.

Federal Jobs Minister and Thunder Bay MP Patty Hajdu said the dispute was resolved with help from a mediator after she used Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to keep talks moving.

The walkout began on Saturday, Aug. 17, and the deal was struck late Monday; the airline said operations would gradually resume Tuesday. The agreement still needs to be ratified by union members.

Hajdu also announced Ottawa is launching a probe into unpaid work in the airline industry to determine whether employees are performing duties without compensation; she said preliminary findings are expected in six to eight weeks.

Travellers are being urged to monitor their flight status as schedules normalize. The government framed the resolution as the best outcome for workers and passengers, while emphasizing that long-term labour peace depends on addressing systemic issues like unpaid time.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Monday’s Results:

You can download the full results (including comments) here in an Excel file (email addresses have been removed for anonymity).

Transportation

Ship That Suffered Engine Room Fire Docks At Thunder Bay

The Radcliffe R. Latimer is tied up at Thunder Bay’s Mid-Continent Terminal after an engine room fire on Aug. 11 near the eastern end of Lake Superior.

Owner Algoma Central Corporation said the self-unloader was hauling petroleum coke from Superior, Wisconsin to Port-Daniel, Quebec when the incident happened.

The crew activated the ship’s CO₂ suppression system, and no injuries were reported among the 21 sailors on board. After spending time at anchor in Whitefish Bay, the vessel reversed course to Thunder Bay for assessment and repairs.

The docking location—at the former CN ore dock/Northern Wood Preservers property on Maureen Street—allows specialized inspection teams to evaluate damage and plan next steps.

Authorities did not report any cargo release or pollution stemming from the fire. The incident underscores how onboard systems and training can contain machinery-space fires quickly, but ships often still require yard time to verify integrity before returning to service.

Local

‘A Bit Of Turmoil’: Roundabout Construction Impacts Local Businesses

Construction of the new roundabout linking Cumberland Street North, North Water Street, and the Marina Park overpass is causing headaches for nearby shops, which say access changes have confused customers and reduced foot traffic.

Ungalli Clothing Co. is currently accessible only from North Water Street; co-founders Bree Hollinsworth and Hailey Buosi said they’ve even paid for their own wayfinding signs and move them frequently as closures shift.

Cinema 5 Skatepark adjusted hours to keep things safe and manageable. City senior project engineer Brian Newman said underground works are substantially complete (sewer/water), concrete rings for the roundabout are poured, and crews are tackling curbs, sidewalks, hydroduct relocations, and a truck apron.

The project started in July and is on track for Oct. 30 completion, weather permitting, with the intersection potentially opening earlier once critical tasks—line painting, signage, lighting—are done. Until then, drivers are urged to avoid the area and use Court and Algoma streets; an Enbridge-related closure on Algoma is also expected, adding to the short-term pinch.

Roads

Over 100 Jaywalkers A Day: Mid-Block Signal Coming To Red River Road

After counting an average of 113 illegal crossings per day near the McDonald’s on Red River Road, Thunder Bay is installing a mid-block pedestrian signal between Clarkston Street and Junot Avenue.

Project engineer Lisa Parent said the signal—standard red/yellow/green lights activated by pedestrians—aims to address safety issues on the busy four-lane corridor.

The city is also adding three more mid-block signals this construction season: Golf Links Road near the hospital, Golf Links Road south of Oliver Road (by the Thunder Bay Country Club), and Leland Avenue at Arthur Street.

About 70% of the cost for the Red River installation is covered by a grant. Work is already underway, and the city expects all four locations to enter service before the end of the season, weather permitting.

Officials say the upgrades respond to resident petitions and observed risk-taking, and they’re urging drivers to be ready for new stopping points while pedestrians get a safer crossing option.

Mining

Vault Minerals Targets 2027 Restart At White River’s Sugar Zone Mine

Vault Minerals (formed by the 2024 merger of Silver Lake Resources and Red 5) is aiming to restart the Sugar Zone gold mine (30 km north of White River) in November 2027, but the schedule hinges on provincial approval for a new tailings management facility.

The company’s update outlines a $55-million pre-production phase (9–12 months) starting July 2026 to create multiple stoping fronts underground. Waste rock from development would be used to build the Southern Tailings Facility by October 2026 (budget ~$18 million).

Vault reports 325,000 ounces in reserves—enough for roughly seven years at ~50,000 oz/year—plus 1.28 million ounces in resources and a promising Sugar South discovery.

Operations were suspended in August 2023 while the company reset its plan and invested in infrastructure, equipment, and drilling. The fall-2027 target remains contingent on the approval timeline and construction progress on the tailings system.

Indigenous News

Report: Indigenous Businesses Face Persistent Procurement Barriers

A new report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business says Indigenous enterprises remain underrepresented in public and private procurement, despite being central to Canada’s economy.

Titled “A Way Forward: Ontario’s Path Towards Economic Reconciliation, Equity, and Inclusive Growth,” the study links inclusive procurement to TRC Call to Action 92 and recommends Indigenous content requirements in bids, early engagement with communities, and help navigating complex procurement systems. It also notes most Indigenous communities have not shared equitably in resource-development wealth on their territories.

The groups estimate 74,000–115,000 Indigenous-owned enterprises operate in Canada and argue that equitable access to contracts is critical for economic reconciliation and shared prosperity. Leaders from both organizations called on governments, large resource firms, financial institutions, and local chambers to play their part in lowering barriers and building partnerships that respect Indigenous rights and knowledge.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

August 18

Storytime on the (School) Bus & Expo
Preschool storytime + explore a real school bus (two sessions)
Waverley Library – 285 Red River Road
10:15–10:45 am & 10:45–11:15 am
$ FREE

Baby and Me Storytime
Songs & rhymes for infants (0–12 months)
County Park Library – 1010 Dawson Rd, Unit 108
11:15–11:45 am
$ FREE

Discovery Club (STEAM Drop-In)
Robots, coding & building challenges (ages 4+; drop-in)
Mary J.L. Black Library – 901 Edward St S
All day (during branch hours)
$ FREE

Sing with Mr. B Music Concert
All-ages sing-along with local music teacher/performer
Mary J.L. Black Library – 901 Edward St S
2:30–3:30 pm
$ FREE

Waverley Park Concert Series
Free outdoor concert in the park (Monday series)
Waverley Park – Red River Rd & Waverley St
6:30–9:00 pm
$ FREE

Dart Tournament (Cricket) @ Red Lion Smokehouse
Casual darts—first-come, first-served
Red Lion Smokehouse – 16 Cumberland St S
7:00 pm
$ FREE

Open Mic @ The Foundry
Musicians/poets welcome—weekly open mic
The Foundry – 242 Red River Road
7:30 pm
$ FREE

Octopoulpe & Bo.Senberg w/ Impostrophe (All Ages)
International touring acts—experimental/rock
Black Pirates Pub – 215 Red River Rd (Suite 101)
8:00–11:30 pm
$20

Community Living Duck Hunt
City-wide scavenger hunt—find & snap the ducks!
Various locations (city-wide)
All day
$ FREE

August 19

Jazzy Tuesdays With Mood Indigo
Smooth live jazz paired with dinner and drinks
6:00 pm–9:00 pm, Anchor & Ore – 2240 Sleeping Giant Pkwy
$ FREE

Tuesday Group Run
Community 5 km run/walk—friendly pacing, meet at Rita Street parking lot
6:30 pm–7:30 pm, Boulevard Lake – Lyon Boulevard W.
$ FREE

Tai Chi in the Park
Free evening tai chi class by the water
7:00 pm–8:00 pm, Marina Park – Water Street
$ FREE

Family Storytime
Early literacy with songs, rhymes & stories (preschoolers welcome)
10:00 am–11:00 am, Mary J.L. Black Library – 285 Red River Road
$ FREE

Discovery Club (STEAM Drop-In)
Hands-on science, robotics & building play for children (ages 4+); drop-in
All day, Mary J.L. Black Library – 901 Edward Street South
$ FREE

August 20

PIEROGI DAYS!!!
Homemade Polish pierogi, cabbage rolls, soups & more—carry-out also available
9:00 am–4:30 pm, Polish Combatants’ Association – 209 N. Cumberland Street
$ FREE

Live on the Waterfront – Classic Rock Night
Free outdoor concert with classic rock performances
6:00 pm–9:00 pm, Marina Park Festival Area, Water Street
$ FREE

Movie Night: Drowning in Dreams
Documentary about the Gunilda shipwreck, followed by a Q&A
7:00 pm–9:30 pm, Thunder Bay Museum – 425 Donald Street E.
Admission by donation ($8 adults, $3 children, free with membership)

Ira Johnson Band @ Howl at the Moon
Live all-ages performance by the local Ira Johnson Band
8:00 pm, Howl at the Moon – 8 Cumberland St. South
$ FREE

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar @ Shooters Tavern
Weekly piano bar night—no cover
8:00 pm, Shooters Tavern – 377 Memorial Avenue
$ FREE

August 21

RibFest 2025
Family-focused rib festival with food vendors, kids’ zone, live music, and a 50/50 draw—Thursday is a low-sensory/take-out only evening
Marina Park – Water Street
4:00 pm–9:00 pm
FREE entry (some activities and food are ticketed)

Harbour Fest
’90s-themed street festival downtown—music, entertainment, vendors, and community nostalgia
Waterfront District
5:00 pm–11:00 pm
FREE

Summer in the Parking Lot – URBAN HIP
Live, all-ages hip-hop/urban music outdoors in the Superior Inn parking lot
Superior Inn Hotel – 555 Arthur Street West
6:00 pm
$ 7–$20 (ticket required)

Thursday Night Group Run
Community 5 km run/walk around Boulevard Lake—free and open to all paces
Meet at Rita Street parking lot (Lyon Blvd W.)
6:00 pm–7:00 pm
FREE

Movie Night: Drowning in Dreams
Screening of the documentary about the shipwreck “Gunilda,” followed by a Q&A
Thunder Bay Museum – 425 Donald Street East
7:00 pm–9:30 pm
By donation (suggested $8 adults / $3 children)

Karaoke Every Thursday @ Bar Polonia
Open-mic karaoke at the Polish Combatants’ Association—song selection, fun, and donations accepted
Bar Polonia – 209 N. Cumberland Street
8:00 pm–11:00 pm
Donations

August 22

Play Day @ Waverley Library
Free, sensory play with toys and interactive books for kids
10:00 am–4:00 pm, Waverley Library – 285 Red River Road
$ FREE

Discovery Club (STEAM Drop-In)
Self-guided STEAM exploration with robots, coding, and building challenges for ages 4+
All day, Mary J.L. Black Library – 901 Edward Street South
$ FREE

RibFest 2025
Family rib festival with food trucks, music, kids’ activities, and a 50/50 draw
11:00 am–9:00 pm, Marina Park – Water Street
$ FREE entry (food and activities ticketed)

Swing and Blues at Monty’s Joint
Live swing and blues music in a relaxed bar setting (19+)
6:00 pm, Monty’s Joint – 513 Victoria Avenue East
$ FREE

August 23

Home of the Day

394 Summerhill Dr.

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

4 bedrooms
4 bathrooms
2,883 sqft

$1,016,500

River Terrace, finished basement, 2 car garage, heated floors and more.