ISSUE #134

Good morning,

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

In today’s issue we cover:

• Queens Park listens to the trees

• Daily Poll - Do they do enough? 

• Train derailment 

• Dump truck written off

• ATV death 

• Covering kids’ basics

• It’s Socktober Season

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - Million dollar home! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Forestry

Queen's Park Hears the Trees Falling (Metaphorically)

The forestry sector in Northern Ontario isn't just unsettled; it's practically sitting on a wobbly stump, and the echoes of its instability recently bounced off the walls at Queen's Park.

This was the core message delivered by Thunder Bay—Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois, who pointed out the significant, almost comical, disconnect between provincial chatter and the grim reality on the ground. With the Resolute pulp mill in Thunder Bay shut down since 2023 and the Terrace Bay mill standing idle, the region is bleeding skilled jobs.

We're not talking a few splinters; we're talking hundreds of positions gone from Thunder Bay and another 400 from Terrace Bay. Vaugeois highlighted the irony of the government pinning its green-stamped hopes on future mining ventures, like the almost mythical-sounding "Ring of Fire," while the region's foundational industry is apparently being left to the beavers.

The government, speaking through Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Graydon Smith, countered by pointing to its investments, such as the Forest Biomass Program. This program is intended to support innovation and find new uses for wood products.

However, Vaugeois criticized this response as insufficient, noting that these programs aren't solving the immediate, critical problem of mill closures. The debate ultimately centered on this gap: the government sees investment and sustainable licenses, while the local MPP sees constituents without paychecks and a cornerstone industry in crisis.

It seems that while long-term biomass programs are nice, they don't do much to help the hundreds of specialized workers whose jobs have already disappeared.

Daily Poll

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Transportation

A Slight Case of Off-the-Rails Behaviour Near Ignace

Commuters on the CPKC line—and more accurately, the cargo on the line—had an unexpected interruption to their Tuesday morning itinerary when several rail cars decided they were suddenly done with the track life.

The incident occurred about 10 kilometers east of Ignace, where a number of cars carrying those big, boxy shipping containers went rogue and hopped off the rails around 8:30 a.m. CT. While "derailment" is a word that tends to cause alarm, this particular event was mercifully low on drama.

A spokesperson for CPKC quickly confirmed that the incident was entirely free of human injuries, which is always the best kind of incident. Furthermore, the containers were not hauling anything explosive, toxic, or otherwise alarming, so the public was never in any danger. The only immediate threat was to the morning's shipping schedules and the patience of the logistics managers.

CPKC promptly dispatched crews to the scene to begin the heavy-lifting process of getting everything back in order and convincing the errant cars to return to the line.

Investigators are now looking into the cause of the derailment, likely to determine if it was a mechanical failure or if the cars were just making a bold, unscheduled dash for freedom into the northern wilderness.

News

Dump Truck Has a Very Bad Morning on Highway 102

A dump truck operating near Thunder Bay apparently decided to call it a career in rather spectacular fashion early Tuesday morning, resulting in a single-vehicle collision that left the truck a total "write-off."

The crash took place on Highway 102, a road that is certainly no stranger to vehicular drama. The driver, a 34-year-old from Thunder Bay, was transported to the hospital by Superior North EMS for assessment. Fortunately, the injuries sustained were officially described as non-life-threatening, suggesting the driver's day, while definitely bad, was significantly better than the truck's.

Responders from the Thunder Bay OPP detachment arrived to manage the scene and ponder the wreckage. As is standard procedure when a large truck scatters itself across a major roadway, authorities shut down Highway 102 in both directions. The closure stretched between Mapleward Road and the junction at Highway 11/17, lasting for several inconvenient hours.

This necessary delay gave investigators time to piece together what happened and for cleanup crews to perform the automotive equivalent of sweeping up breadcrumbs—except the breadcrumbs were axles, engine parts, and twisted sheet metal. The highway was eventually cleared and reopened to traffic.

Police are still investigating the specific circumstances that led to the truck's untimely demise, leaving open the question of whether it was driver error, a sudden mechanical failure, or perhaps a sudden, stubborn refusal by the truck to haul one more load of gravel.

News

Thunder Bay Resident Dies in ATV Collision

A weekend ATV ride in the region has unfortunately ended in tragedy, resulting in the death of a 60-year-old Thunder Bay man.

The incident took place on Saturday afternoon on a trail system near Surprise Lake, an area located north of the city often used for recreational driving. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene following the report of a serious collision.

Responders included officers from the Thunder Bay OPP, crews from Shuniah Fire and Emergency Services, and paramedics from Superior North EMS. According to the preliminary police investigation, the driver, who was the sole occupant, reportedly lost control of the all-terrain vehicle while navigating the trail. This loss of control caused the ATV to roll over, a scenario that is often extremely dangerous on such vehicles.

The man was transported from the scene to a hospital to receive urgent medical attention. Unfortunately, the individual was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The Ontario Provincial Police are continuing their investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. To ensure a thorough analysis, they have brought in specialized OPP Technical Collision Investigators to assist in reconstructing the scene and determining the precise sequence of events that led to the vehicle rolling. The name of the deceased was not immediately released. The event serves as a grim reminder of the inherent risks involved with operating all-terrain vehicles.

Charity

The Undercover Project's 10th-Year Mission: Covering Kids' Basics

There’s a mission underway in Thunder Bay that’s less about spies and briefcases and more about dignity and warmth.

It’s the "Undercover Project," and it's marking its 10th year of tackling a basic need that often goes overlooked.

The project's goal this year is to provide new underwear and socks to 2,000 children in the community. Local organizer Evangelia B. is spearheading the initiative, which highlights a simple truth: lacking these essential items can significantly impact a child's comfort, self-esteem, and even their willingness to attend school.

It’s hard to focus on math when your socks have holes or your underwear doesn't fit. The project focuses on children aged 4 to 14, a critical time for development. To reach its ambitious goal, the project is collecting donations of brand-new, still-in-the-package socks and underwear.

These items aren't just handed out randomly; they are distributed through established community partners who work directly with families. Organizations like the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and Our Kids Count will ensure the donations get to the children who need them most.

The drive is running until the end of November, with various drop-off locations set up across the city, aiming to get these fundamental comforts to kids before the winter weather truly sets in.

Indigenous

Friendship Centre Declares Official 'Socktober' Season

Forget spooky season; for the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (TBIFC), October is officially "Socktober."

This annual campaign has kicked off with a singular, cozy goal: to collect as many new socks as possible for community members in need. While people are often generous with coats or non-perishable food, socks remain one of the most requested yet least-donated items at shelters and support centres.

A clean, dry pair of socks is a simple item that provides not just warmth, but also dignity and crucial foot health, especially for those who are homeless or precariously housed. With the infamous Thunder Bay cold weather looming, this need becomes particularly urgent.

The TBIFC is a vital hub, providing a massive range of services and support to the urban Indigenous population, and this drive addresses a very practical, ground-level need. The centre is asking for donations of new socks only, for all ages and sizes, from tiny infant booties to large adult sizes.

Anyone with a desire to help warm some feet can drop off their contributions directly at the Friendship Centre, located at 401 North Cumberland Street, anytime throughout the month. It's a simple way to make a direct impact and ensure fellow community members are a little more comfortable this fall and winter.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

October 22

Lakehead Thunderwolves vs. Waterloo Warriors Men's Hockey 
Cheer on the home team in this OUA regular season matchup. 
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Fort William Gardens, 901 Miles Street E

Trivia Night at Red Lion Smokehouse 
Join host Chris Barstow for a night of general knowledge trivia. 
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Red Lion Smokehouse, 16 Cumberland Street S

Wednesday Night Open Stage at The Foundry 
An evening showcasing local and visiting musical talent. 
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Foundry, 242 Red River Road

October 23

Karaoke Thursdays at The Foundry Sing your heart out at this popular weekly karaoke night. Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM Location: The Foundry, 242 Red River Road

Tech Help Drop-In 
Get one-on-one help with your technology questions, from smartphones to laptops. 
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Thunder Bay Public Library - Brodie Resource Library, 216 S. Brodie Street

October 24

Lakehead Thunderwolves vs. Waterloo Warriors Men's Hockey 
The second game of a weekend series against their OUA rivals. 
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Fort William Gardens, 901 Miles Street E

Urban Infill Art Exhibition Opening Reception 
The official opening reception for Definitely Superior Art Gallery's 37th annual juried art exhibition. 
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Definitely Superior Art Gallery, 250 Park Avenue

Friday Night Live at The Foundry 
A showcase of live music featuring local and touring bands. 
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Time: 9:00 PM
Location: The Foundry, 242 Red River Road

October 25

Thunder Bay Country Market 
A weekly market featuring dozens of local farmers, producers, artisans, and food vendors. 
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: CLE Grounds, Dove Building, 425 Northern Avenue

Urban Infill Art Exhibition 
View the work of dozens of regional artists at Definitely Superior Art Gallery's 37th annual juried exhibition. 
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Definitely Superior Art Gallery, 250 Park Avenue

Kam River Fighting Walleye vs. Wisconsin Lumberjacks 
An SIJHL regular season home game for the Walleye. 
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM Location: NorWest Arena, 550 B Lillie Street N

Saturday Night Live at The Foundry 
A showcase of live music featuring local and touring bands. 
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 9:00 PM
Location: The Foundry, 242 Red River Road

October 26

Urban Infill Art Exhibition 
View the work of dozens of regional artists at Definitely Superior Art Gallery's 37th annual juried exhibition. 
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Definitely Superior Art Gallery, 250 Park Avenue

Exhibition Viewing: The Northern Landscape 
Spend an afternoon viewing the gallery's latest exhibition featuring landscapes from Northern Ontario artists. 
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Thunder Bay Art Gallery, 1080 Keewatin Street

Sunday Songwriter Series 
An intimate evening featuring performances from local and touring singer-songwriters. 
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Foundry, 242 Red River Road

Home of the Day

114 Dogwood Cres

$1,224,900
4+1 bedrooms
5 bathrooms
2,918 sq/ft

Custom high-end finishes in this 7 year-old home.