ISSUE #119

Good morning,

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

In today’s issue, we cover:

• Low-speed vehicles not allowed on the roads

• Daily Poll - Should we enact the LSV bylaw? 

• Coastal cleanup coming  

• Fewer Americans visiting

• City projecting budget surplus

• Eye in the sky

• WSIB + Indigenous partnership

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - College Heights home! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

Safety

Low-Speed Vehicles Are Not Permitted On Thunder Bay Roads

Thunder Bay Police Service issued a public reminder on August 22, 2025, that low-speed vehicles (LSVs)—electric four-wheel vehicles with a top speed of 40 km/h—are not allowed on City public roads.

While these vehicles may resemble cars (with seat belts, steering wheel, and pedals), they lack the safety standards required by the Highway Traffic Act. Thunder Bay has not enacted the necessary municipal bylaw needed for the 2017 pilot program that would allow LSVs on roads, making their use illegal locally.

Instead, devices like enclosed electric mobility scooters, which have lower speeds, must be treated as pedestrians—restricted to sidewalks, multi-use trails, or road shoulders. Users of LSVs risk HTA charges, fines, or license suspensions.

Daily Poll

Today’s question is:

Wednesday’s Results:

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

Environment

Fisherman’s Park Part Of Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup

Thunder Bay will join five other Ontario communities on Sept. 28, World Rivers Day, for the province’s first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup.

The event is part of a multinational initiative led by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a coalition of municipal and Indigenous leaders focused on freshwater protection and economic prosperity.

More than 250 volunteers across Thunder Bay, Chatham-Kent, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Cobourg, and Kingston will target beaches, parks, and shoreline areas, with a goal of collecting up to 200 kilograms of litter and wastefrom the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

Thunder Bay will receive $11,500 of the $85,000 Ontario Great Lakes Local Action Fund grant, covering equipment and transportation for debris collection. Locally, the cleanup will take place at Fisherman’s Park, a site once home to paper mills that left the area heavily degraded.

Tourism

Fewer Americans Visiting Thunder Bay This Summer

Data from the Canada Border Services Agency shows a nine percent decline in American-registered vehicles entering Thunder Bay via Pigeon River in both June and July compared to last year, though May had seen a four percent increase year-over-year.

Tourism Thunder Bay manager Paul Pepe attributed the downturn to factors like economic concerns, inflation, and perceived travel uncertainty. Interestingly, this drop has been offset by strong domestic tourism: the Terry Fox Visitor Centre recorded a 41 percent increase in visits in June alone—over 5,500 more visitors than June 2024.

Hotel occupancy climbed past 80 percent in June, outperforming last year. Pepe noted the trend toward visiting Canada, strengthened by favorable exchange rates and a growing sense of loyalty to domestic travel.

Big Brother

Council Asked To Help Expand Eye On The Street Program

Thunder Bay Council is being asked to contribute $254,731 from the general capital reserve fund toward expanding the Eye on the Street CCTV camera network to 15 additional locations, doubling the scope of visual coverage.

Thunder Bay Police will match the city’s contribution through grants provided by Ontario’s guns, gangs and violence reduction strategy, for a total project value of around $509,460. The expanded system will include hardware and software upgrades, and enhanced live-viewing capabilities for improved safety monitoring.

Launched in 2005 in partnership with the police, the Eye on the Street program supports law enforcement and public safety in high-traffic public areas. Council approval is required to proceed with Phase 3 of the initiative.

Municipal

City Projecting $800,000 Rate-Supported Budget Surplus In 2025

The City of Thunder Bay anticipates a $800,000 surplus in its rate-supported operations for 2025, driven by strong performance in solid waste, wastewater, and water divisions.

Administration projects $600,000 from solid waste, $400,000 each from wastewater and waterworks, but those gains are partly offset by a $600,000 shortfall in parking revenue—linked to council’s earlier decision to waive most on-street fees.

Other departments with positive year-end variances include Thunder Bay Police (about $300,000), licensing and enforcement, IT, long-term care, EMS, engineering and operations, each contributing $200,000 to $500,000. The Fire Rescue department and roads are expected to go over budget by $200,000 and $400,000 respectively, while corporate costs face a $2.4-million unfavourable variance.

Savings have largely come from staff vacancies and negotiated contract adjustments. Council will review the report at Monday’s committee meeting.

Indigenous News

Nokiiwin And WSIB Launch Four-Year Indigenous Health And Safety Partnership

The Nokiiwin Tribal Council and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) have entered into a four-year, $4 million partnership to improve workplace health and safety outcomes in Indigenous communities across Ontario.

The funding supports the Nagachidisan-CARE program (Collaborate, Assess, Respond, Evaluate/Educate), which Nokiiwin executive director Audrey Gilbeau describes as “an indigenized version” of WSIB’s existing health and safety excellence program. Nokiiwin, already a WSIB-certified excellence provider, will use the funding to expand delivery across its five northwestern Ontario member First Nations—Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, and Fort William First Nation—while extending support to communities provincewide.

The program will tailor training and assessments to the unique needs of each community, with a strong focus on mental health and overall wellness, recognizing that workplace conditions affect home and community life.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

August 25

Community Living Duck Hunt
City-wide scavenger hunt for decorative ducks—find one, snap a photo, and share it!
Various locations across Thunder Bay
All day
FREE

Waverley Park Concert Series
Final Monday evening concert of the summer with live music at Waverley Park
Waverley Park – Waverley Street
6:30 pm–9:00 pm
FREE

City Council (Public Meeting) / Committee of the Whole
Public City Council meeting open to residents
City Hall – 3rd Floor, 500 Donald Street East
6:30 pm–11:00 pm
FREE (public attendance)

Sea Shanty Night @ The Foundry
Fun sea shanty sing-along evening—19+ event
The Foundry – 242 Red River Road
8:30 pm
FREE (19+ only)

August 26

Station Market
Artisan market housed in a historic CN railway station—featuring candles, pottery, jewelry, and more
2212 Sleeping Giant Parkway
10:00 am–5:00 pm
FREE

Game On! With the Interactive Projector
Interactive, movement-based games projected in the library—great active fun for families
Mary J.L. Black Library – 901 Edward Street South
12:00 pm–7:00 pm
FREE

Jazzy Tuesdays With Mood Indigo
An evening of smooth, live jazz paired with dinner and drinks
Anchor & Ore – 2240 Sleeping Giant Parkway
6:00 pm–9:00 pm
FREE

Tai Chi in the Park
Free, guided tai chi session by the waterfront—great for balance and relaxation
Marina Park – Water Street
7:00 pm–8:00 pm
FREE

August 27

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

Live on the Waterfront – Summer Send-Off
A finale evening concert to send off the summer season at Marina Park
Marina Park – Water Street
6:00 pm–9:00 pm
FREE

Quiz Night At Red Lion
Pub trivia night—teams up to 6, $2/person, bring your own pen
Red Lion Smokehouse – 16 Cumberland Street S
Registration 7:30 pm; Trivia starts ~8:00 pm
$2 per person

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar @ Shooters Tavern
Weekly piano bar night with Thunder Bay’s “Piano Man”
Shooters Tavern – 377 Memorial Avenue
8:00 pm
FREE

Ira Johnson Band @ Howl at the Moon
All-ages live performance by local band.
Howl at the Moon – 8 Cumberland Street St
8:00 pm
FREE

Drone Show
A spectacular after-dark drone light show over the waterfront to cap off Summer Send-Off night
Marina Park – Water Street
9:30 pm
FREE

August 28

Live on the Waterfront – Summer Send-Off Concert & Drone Light Show
Final night of the waterfront summer concert series, followed by a spectacular drone light show over Marina Park
Marina Park – Water Street
6:00 pm–9:00 pm concert; Drone show after ~9:30 pm
FREE

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

Summer in the Parking Lot – The Commoners
Live all-ages urban/indie music concert outdoors in the Superior Inn Hotel parking lot featuring The Commoners
Superior Inn Hotel Parking Lot – 555 Arthur Street West
6:00 pm
$7–$20 (ticketed)

Karaoke Every Thursday @ Bar Polonia
Open-mic karaoke night at the Polish Combatants’ Association—donation-based
Bar Polonia – 209 N. Cumberland Street
8:00 pm–11:00 pm
Donations welcome

August 30

Kakabeka Farmers Market
Local farmers and artisans offering seasonal produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts
4554 Hwy 11/17 (beside Kakabeka Legion, Kakabeka Falls)
9:30 am–12:30 pm
FREE

Crossroad Music Summer Series
Free all-ages concert showcasing regional musical talent in a garden-style venue
Crossroad Music – 632 City Road (Fort William First Nation)
2:00 pm–8:00 pm
FREE

Vinyl Saturdays at Red Lion Smokehouse
A relaxed afternoon of vinyl spinning and casual pub vibes
Red Lion Smokehouse – 16 Cumberland Street South
3:00 pm–9:00 pm
FREE

DJ Rogue at The Foundry
Nighttime DJ set in an industrial, warehouse-style venue—party into the night!
The Foundry – 242 Red River Road
10:00 pm
FREE

Home of the Day

169 Madeline St.

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

2+1bedrooms
2 bathrooms
938 sqft

$479,000

College Heights bungalow with fenced yard and two-tiered deck.