ISSUE #137

Good morning,

In today’s issue we cover:

• Thunder Bay may have a reputation problem

• Daily Poll - Do you think it does?

• Nurses just aren’t staying 

• Police to monitor community housing

• Shuniah energy investment 

• Bear returned to the north

• Shelter village contracts announced

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - Custom built on Skyline Ave! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

City Hall

Thunder Bay's Reputation Enters the Chat

Thunder Bay's city council is workshopping a shiny new 10-year "smart growth action plan" designed to boost the tax base and attract new people, but there's just one tiny problem: the city's reputation. Some councillors are delicately pointing out the "elephant in the room"—that the city has a "bad rap" for crime that might make people and businesses think twice about moving there.

There's a theory that the notorious "murder capital" label might just be a math problem. The stats are per capita, and if the census isn't counting the large transient population, the numbers look worse than they are. City officials note the feds only trust their own census data, which comes every four years, so correcting this won't be easy. Plus, getting more federal funding is described as a "double-edged sword," as some funding is specifically because the population is low.

While the number-crunchers debate the data, other leaders are more concerned with the on-the-ground reality. One councillor noted that no matter how great the fishing is, it's hard to attract investment when businesses are dealing with smashed windows and people feel unsafe walking around. They are urging staff to acknowledge this challenge, as a city's vibe is just as important as its spreadsheets.

Daily Poll

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Healthcare

Wanted: Nurses Who Actually Stay

The head of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Doris Grinspun, visited Thunder Bay and confirmed what everyone in scrubs already knew: the profession is a revolving door. Nurses are retiring early, and younger ones are leaving the profession entirely, thoroughly burned out from the pace and complexity of the job.

It's not just the hospital work. The association notes that nurses are being demoralized by the lack of societal support for issues like housing insecurity and substance abuse. When shelters and safe consumption sites close, those people end up in the care of nurses who want to help but can't fix the underlying systemic problems.

It's not all doom and gloom, however. The pandemic, while exhausting the current workforce, apparently inspired a whole new generation. More people than ever, including many internationally educated nurses, are applying to nursing programs. Thunder Bay is even seeing success with a program at St. Joseph's Care Group that helps international nurses get settled in the city. With the old wage-capping law, Bill 124, now defeated in court, the association is hopeful that better pay and more support—like adding more nurse practitioners to ease the doctor shortage—can help stop the spin cycle.

Crime

New Hall Monitors for Community Housing

The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) is trying a new approach to handle troublemakers in its community housing buildings: hiring its own security. On Tuesday, the city introduced four new special constables who will be dedicated to patrolling DSSAB properties.

This "housing safety unit" is a pilot project, inspired by a similar program in Toronto, aimed at improving safety and building relationships with tenants. These new constables, who are employed and trained by the Thunder Bay Police Service, aren't quite full-fledged officers, but they come with a specific set of tools. They will be able to enforce certain laws, like the Trespass to Property Act and the Liquor License Act, but the CEO of DSSAB emphasized their biggest tool will be communication and support.

The new unit will start by patrolling some of the largest buildings, including Andre Court and Spence Court. Officials hope that having a consistent, supportive presence will deter issues and reduce the number of calls to 911. This, in turn, would free up regular police officers to handle other calls for service across the city. The success of the pilot will ultimately be measured by feedback from the tenants themselves.

Energy

Shuniah: So Hot Right Now

The Municipality of Shuniah is apparently the place to be if you're in the energy business. A third company, the German-based ABO Energy, has popped up to express interest in building a potential energy project in the area. This follows two other firms that have already proposed projects, all spurred by a province-wide call for proposals from Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator.

ABO Energy is keeping its cards close to its vest, stating it is only in the very preliminary stages of investigation. They aren't sure if a project is even feasible yet and are looking at wind, solar, or battery storage options. The company is just beginning to reach out to local landowners to see if they can stitch together enough suitable parcels of land.

A spokesperson for the company said they wanted to introduce themselves to the municipal council before they started knocking on doors. The goal was to give council a heads-up so they wouldn't be "blindsided" by rumours when residents started chatting about the new company in town. ABO Energy is promoting its commitment to transparent communication, noting that Shuniah is the first community in the Thunder Bay region they are exploring.

Nature

Zeus the Bear Has Left the Building

One very lucky, and very large, local resident is back in his old stomping grounds after a stint in rehab. "Zeus," a 7-year-old bear, was returned to the wilderness north of Thunder Bay on Tuesday after recovering from a serious injury.

The bear was discovered about a month ago with a gunshot wound to his shoulder, which had led to a severe infection. Ministry of Natural Resources staff captured the ailing animal and shipped him all the way to the "Bear With Us" sanctuary, located east of Parry Sound. There, a veterinarian treated his wound and put him on a three-week course of antibiotics, which successfully cleared up the infection.

After getting the all-clear, Zeus was loaded up for the long road trip home. The sanctuary's founder wished the bear a long and peaceful life back in the wilds of Thunder Bay.

Zeus wasn't the only passenger on the trip; the transport vehicle also carried three young orphaned bears. They had been in the sanctuary's care since the spring of 2024 and were dropped off in the Fort Frances area, now mature enough to survive on their own.

Community

Contracts Inked for Shelter Village, But Don't Pack Your Bags Yet

The city has officially selected the two local businesses that will build and operate its temporary shelter village. Modbox Modular has been awarded the contract to design and build the 80-unit site on the Hillyard lands, while Demetrakopoulos Enterprises will take on the role of operator.

The operator, which also runs Nurse Next Door, was reportedly the only company to submit a bid for the job. The total price tag for both contracts clocked in at just under $10 million. While the city's encampment response lead stated that the operator has experience in health administration, the final details of how the shelter village will be run are still being ironed out.

However, anyone expecting a quick opening will be disappointed. The project, which includes extending new sanitary sewer and water services to the site, is already behind schedule. Officials have stated that the original December timeline is now "unlikely" to be met. Before the modular units can be placed, the site needs to be prepped, which involves clearing trees, excavating bad soil, and installing fencing. The city is now "targeting an opening in late spring of 2026." A community drop-in event is being planned for November to answer questions from residents.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

October 29

Anakay Meekwewin 2025 - The Passing of Gifts Gathering The 5th annual grassroots healing initiative gathering (Day 3). Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Location: 2080 Highway 61

PIEROGI DAYS!!! A recurring event offering pierogi for sale. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM Location: 209 N. Cumberland Street (as listed on event calendars)

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Family Storytime A drop-in program for children and caregivers featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Location: County Park Library - Children's area

Tales for Twos A program for children ages 24 months to 3 years with a caregiver, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes.Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Baby and Me Storytime A drop-in program for babies and caregivers, featuring songs, rhymes, and stories to support early literacy. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: Mary J.L. Black Library - Community Program Room

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Ultimate Burger Battle Tasting Party A tasting event related to the Ultimate Burger Battle. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM Location: The Outpost, 955 Oliver Rd

Board Game Night A weekly community board game night where you can bring your own games or play ones from the cafe's collection. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Yu-Gi-Oh: Edison A scheduled tournament for the "Edison" format of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

40th Anniversary Community Showcase A free event to celebrate the TBCA's 40th season, featuring local talent. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

Danny Johnson's Piano Bar at Shooters Tavern A live music event featuring Danny Johnson. Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM Location: Shooters Tavern, 377 Memorial Avenue

October 30

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Online Information Session - Regional Tariff Response Initiative An online information session hosted by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: All day (listed as a full-day online resource) Location: Online

Preschool Storytime A program for children ages 3-4, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Play Day at County Park A drop-in time for independent, self-guided free play with toys and activities. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: County Park Library - Children's area

Blissful Beading A drop-in beading circle for all ages and skill levels. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM Location: County Park Library - Outreach Table

Thursday Group Run A friendly 5km group run for all fitness levels, hosted by the Metre Eaters. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Fresh Air

Kill Team A scheduled event for the "Warhammer 40K Kill Team" miniatures game. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Page Turners A book club for kids in Grades 3-6 to discuss books and participate in activities. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Magic The Gathering: Modern A scheduled event for the "Modern" format of the Magic: The Gathering card game.Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Flesh & Blood A scheduled event for the "Flesh & Blood" trading card game. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Chase the Ace By Mark Crawford A live theatre performance of the comedy "Chase the Ace." Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM Location: 10 Algoma St. S. (Magnus Theatre)

KARAOKE EVERY THURSDAY A recurring weekly karaoke night. Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM Location: 209 Cumberland Street North

October 31

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) concepts. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Family Storytime A drop-in program for children and caregivers featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

Game On! with the interactive projector A drop-in time to play physically engaging games on the interactive projector.Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Location: Mary J.L. Black Library - Commons

Play Day A drop-in time for independent, self-guided free play with toys and activities. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Waverley Library - Auditorium

PUP - Snotty Nose Rez Kids (Loge Seats On-sale) This is not an event, but the on-sale time for loge seats for a future concert. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM Location: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium (Box Office/Online)

Dagwood's Slightly Batty Halloween A Halloween-themed event at the bakery. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Dagwoods Bakery

Jazz and Old Fashioned Fridays ft Mood Indigo A recurring live jazz music event. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Anchor & Ore

Magic The Gathering: Commander A scheduled event for the "Commander" format of the Magic: The Gathering card game. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Magic The Gathering: Standard A scheduled event for the "Standard" format of the Magic: The Gathering card game.Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Slate River Slaughter A spooky walk-through Halloween display. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Location: Slate River

Chase the Ace By Mark Crawford A live theatre performance of the comedy "Chase the Ace." Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM Location: 10 Algoma St. S. (Magnus Theatre)

BAR POLONIA - FRIDAYS LIVE MUSIC A recurring weekly live music event. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM Location: 209 Cumberland Street North (Polish Combatants Association)

The Hunger 18th Edition A massive annual downtown-wide Halloween festival featuring 56 acts across 8 venues. Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM Location: 8 venues in the downtown north core (e.g., Black Pirates Pub, The Foundry, Red Lion Smokehouse, etc.)

November 1

Country Christmas Craft Fair 2025 The 30th annual craft fair featuring over 75 local vendors. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Road

Craft Sale A craft sale to support the replacement of the church roof. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 564 North May Street

Discovery Club A drop-in, self-guided family exploration of STEAM concepts. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: All day Location: Mary J.L. Black Library

Game On! with the interactive projector A drop-in time to play physically engaging games on the interactive projector.Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Mary J.L. Black Library - Commons

Magic The Gathering: Draft A scheduled event for drafting the latest Magic: The Gathering sets. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Heroclix A scheduled event for the Heroclix miniatures game. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Chase the Ace By Mark Crawford A matinee performance of the comedy "Chase the Ace." Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM (Doors at 1:00 PM) Location: 10 Algoma St. S. (Magnus Theatre)

Halloween Spooktacular A fun-filled family concert featuring the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Location: Avila Centre (Lakehead University)

Pokemon A scheduled event for the Pokemon trading card game. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Lakehead Thunderwolves VS Western Mustangs Lakehead University men's hockey game. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Fort William Gardens

Chase the Ace By Mark Crawford An evening performance of the comedy "Chase the Ace." Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM (Doors at 6:30 PM) Location: 10 Algoma St. S. (Magnus Theatre)

Baile de los Muertos A Day of the Dead dance event. Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 Time: 10:00 PM Location: Atmos

November 2

Country Christmas Craft Fair 2025 The 30th annual craft fair featuring over 75 local vendors (Day 2). Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Road

Lorcana A scheduled event for the Lorcana trading card game. Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Yu-Gi-Oh A scheduled event for the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game. Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Carlito's Board Game Cafe

Stepping Out for Foot Health A free seminar on foot health presented by the Thunder Bay CARP Chapter. Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, 700 River St.

Foreigner - The Juke Box Hero Tour - A Special Canadian Event A concert by the rock band Foreigner. Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

Home of the Day

244 Skyline Ave

$799,900
3 bedrooms
3 bathrooms
1,992 sq/ft

Custom built home with vaulted ceilings.