ISSUE #112

Good morning,

Just a heads-up there won’t be another issue until next Wednesday due to travel. Have a wonderful and safe long weekend everyone! And thanks so much for continuing to read ❤

In today’s issue, we cover:

• The news story that just won’t go away

• Daily Poll - Are you sick of it yet ?

• College earns national recognition  

• Sudden death in intercity area

• Waterway investigation closed

• New landlord law tackles drugs

• Language protections sought

• Things to do this week 🗓️

• House of the day - Lake Superior custom built! 🏡

- Marcus Luft

News

Petition Urges Council to Reverse Hillyard Shelter-Village Decision

A Change.org petition is asking Thunder Bay council to halt its decision to place the temporary shelter village at 879 Alloy Place (the Hillyard lands).

Intercity residents Adam and Maya Mularczyk launched the petition after council’s July vote, saying many neighbours only learned of the decision from each other, not the city. As of publication, it had just over 260 signatures.

The petition calls for four items: immediately pause the Hillyard plan; consult directly with impacted residents, Indigenous leaders, and service providers; prioritize long‑term housing solutions over temporary fixes; and ensure any shelter project is led by experienced social‑service agencies with full transparency.

Asked if the petition could affect the project, city director Cynthia Olsen didn’t commit either way, but said the city is open to collaboration with nearby businesses and residents as planning proceeds.

The Hillyard site sits beside the off‑leash dog park on 8th Avenue, in a largely commercial area.

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).

Education

Confederation College Community Garden Earns National Recognition

Confederation College’s community garden has been named one of 10 Canadian winners in Nature’s Path’s 2025 Gardens for Good: Plant it Forward program—bringing a $6,500 grant to support local food security and education on campus.

The award recognizes organic, community‑driven gardens with measurable impact; Nature’s Path says the 2025 cohort pushed the program over $1 million donated since 2010. Confederation highlighted the garden’s decade‑plus of work building connection, learning, and access to fresh food in Thunder Bay.

The grant can be used for infrastructure, tools, seeds, or programming to expand participation. It’s a small but meaningful boost at a time when food costs remain high and campus/community partnerships matter more than ever.

Police

Police Probe Sudden Death in Intercity Area

Thunder Bay Police are investigating after a woman was found deceased near Fort William Road and Isabel Street along the Neebing‑MacIntyre Floodway on Sunday, July 27.

Officers responded just after 10:30 a.m. and maintained a visible presence through Monday while the investigation continued. Police said there is no current threat to public safety, and further details would be released when available.

Social media posts suggested a body in the water, but police did not confirm that in their update. The discovery followed a Sunday advisory about an active police scene between Fort William Road and Memorial Avenue.

Anyone with information or relevant video from the area is encouraged to contact TBPS.

Environment

City Closes Probe into Suspected Hydrocarbon Sheen on McVicar Creek

City crews investigated reports of a shiny film/sheen on McVicar Creek on July 22–23, suspected to be hydrocarbons—compounds found in gas, oil, and diesel.

Responding first to a provincial alert, staff checked the Castlegreen area, but despite hours of work (including during heavy rain) they couldn’t locate the source.

No sample was collected, so the exact substance and volume remain unknown. David Warwick, the city’s superintendent for Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection, said it was likely contaminated runoff, while health inspector Erin Hudson assisted on both days.

With no source identified, the city closed the investigation, while noting that any spill into a waterway is bad for the ecosystem and will be taken seriously.

News

New Provincial Law Targets Drug Activity in Rentals; DSSAB Seeks Clarity

Ontario’s Bill 10 (passed June 5) includes the Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, which can hold landlords liable if they knowingly permit drug production or trafficking in their buildings.

The Thunder Bay DSSAB says it supports safer housing but needs details on how the law will apply to both private landlords and community housing providers. DSSAB’s Crystal Simeoni pointed to Section 2(1) (no knowing permission) and Section 2(2) (a possible “reasonable measures” defence) and said guidance is needed on what steps count as reasonable.

The Act also contemplates fines and liability for police enforcement costs, though landlords who demonstrate prevention efforts may avoid those costs. The in‑force date for this Schedule has not yet been set.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario likewise urged clear rules so providers can act effectively while supporting tenants with complex needs.

Indigenous News

Matawa Education Seeks Stable Funding for Language Revitalization

The Matawa Waka Tere program—revitalizing Ojibway, Oji‑Cree and Cree across Matawa communities and Thunder Bay—has warned of scaled‑down operations without long‑term federal funding.

CEO Dr. Sharon L. Nate says the work takes “two to three generations,” and short‑term agreements create harmful uncertainty. Recent briefings emphasized that while the Indigenous Languages Act commits Ottawa to “adequate, sustainable and long‑term” funding, practice hasn’t matched principle.

The program has operated in all nine Matawa communities and in Thunder Bay, training educators and delivering community‑based language learning that builds identity and well‑being. Leaders are urging stable, multi‑year support to avoid interruptions and keep momentum with learners and teachers.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

July 30

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

Stellar Science with Science North
Interactive science activities for kids hosted by Science North
County Park Library – 1010 Dawson Road (Unit 108)
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
$ FREE

Live on the Waterfront Concert Series
Free live music by the Bay—Wednesdays through summer
Marina Park – Festival Area, Water Street
6:00 pm–9:00 pm
$ FREE

Thunder Bay Border Cats Game
Summer baseball at Port Arthur Stadium
Port Arthur Stadium – 420 Lisgar Street
6:35 pm
$ Ticketed—prices vary

July 31

Thursday Night Group Run
Community 5 km run/walk around Boulevard Lake
Meet at Rita Street parking lot, Boulevard Lake
6:00 pm
$ FREE

Summer in the Parking Lot – “Junior & the Bifocals”
All-ages live music outdoors at Superior Inn
Superior Inn Hotel – 555 West Arthur Street
6:00 pm
 $7–$20 (ticket)

Piping in the Park – Macgillivray Pipe Band
Evening pipe-band performance in hillcrest park setting
Hillcrest Park – High Street North
7:30 pm–8:30 pm
$ FREE

Lies & Legends – The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin
Outdoor theatrical concert featuring the music & stories of Harry Chapin
Magnus Theatre Outdoor Stage – 10 Algoma Street South
7:30 pm–~9:00 pm
$ FREE

August 1

Water Circus Platinum (Cirque Italia)
Grand European-style aquatic circus under the big top
Intercity Shopping Centre Parking Lot – 1000 Fort William Road
Multiple showtimes throughout the weekend: Aug 1–4
$ Ticketed (prices vary by seating)

Live on the Waterfront Concert Series
Free summer concert series by the harbour
Marina Park – Water Street
6:00 pm–9:00 pm
$ FREE

Jazz & Old‑Fashioned Fridays ft. Mood Indigo
Smooth jazz paired with cocktails at Anchor & Ore
Anchor & Ore – 2240 Sleeping Giant Parkway
6:00 pm–9:00 pm
$ FREE

DJ Ducktail at Woodside Bar
Evening dance set with DJ Ducktail
Woodside Bar – Red River Road
From 6:00 pm onward (likely 19+ event)
$ FREE

Home of the Day

149 Mickelson Dr

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

2+2 bedrooms
4 bathrooms
2,300 sqft

$2,450,000

Lake Superior custom built home.