News

$162 Million Budget

City Council has started deliberations on the capital budget for 2025.

It is currently estimated to be $162 million, and will include, (remember, don’t shoot the messenger), a 3.8% tax levy increase.

Sigh.

The capital budget was originally tabled as a draft earlier this month to give Councillors and the public a chance to review the contents before deliberations started.

It is expected to be ratified later this month.

The feedback from Councillors has been positive. It is considered to be a progress-forward budget with a number of important projects included (I reeeeeeally hope they pave our damn road…).

The operating budget is going to be brought forward in January. That one is usually more contentious as people wrestle over who gets how many bodies for their departments/projects.

Bring your more heavily taxed popcorn to that one.

Daily Poll

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Now that Mariah Carey has been thawed out, and she’s ready to earn in the next month, via royalties, more than all of us combined make in a year, I’ve got to know:

Do you love All I Want for Christmas Is You?

Christmas

Kiwanis Wants to Sell You a Tree

The Kiwanis Club of Westfort-Thunder Bay has been selling Christmas trees to the public now for over 50 years!

And starting this Saturday, you can once again head over next to the skeletal remains of the old golf dome and pick up your tree for this season.

The proceeds from the sale of the trees is applied to the projects Kiwanis supports. And you can feel really good about this because Kiwanis is focused on helping children!

They help fund the Boys and Girls Club, Communities Together for Children, bursaries for post-secondary education, Our Kids Count, and others!

The trees come in a variety of sizes (I’ve been buying our tree from them for years now and they are hands-down the most beautiful trees I’ve ever had).

You can pick yours up starting at noon tomorrow (Nov. 30) and thereafter from 12pm-8pm Monday-Fridays and 10am-8pm on weekends.

Do it for the kids! (and your house will smell amazing).

Police

Renewed Search For Missing Person

It’s been two years since Joseph Alexander Lawson was last seen, and the Thunder Bay Police are again asking help in locating him.

Police say they have exhausted all tips to-date.

Lawson was last seen on November 27, 2022 in the 200 block of Madeline St.

He is described as an Indigenous male, about 5’6” tall, with a medium build, long straight grey hair, brown eyes and usually has facial hair.

If you know anything, please click below to find out how to report a tip.

Construction

Tbay Country Club Project Sputters Forward

The never-ending project that has truthfully turned into a massive eye-sore, is seeing a spark of new life starting next year.

The Thunder Bay Country Club project that was supposed to be a condo, is now slated to have a shell erected on the existing structure to create a six-story structure.

De Gregorio Developments is the latest developer looking to make a go of this.

The project started in 2012 under a different developer. De Gregorio bought this (including the entire golf course) in 2022.

Over the past year steps have been taken to preserve the existing materials on site, and to prepare the project for the next steps.

The goal next year is to get the structure up and then start picking away at the interior work over time.

In the mean time, golfers can continue to use the course and remain skeptical that this thing will ever get done (rightfully so).

Good luck Di Gregorio Developments!

Infrastructure

Jail Being Evacuated

Recently added to the list of crumbling North American infrastructure is the Thunder Bay District Jail.

Inmates are being evacuated to alternative, secure, (we should hope!) facilities after the heating system failed.

The district jail will be 100 years old in 2026 (for reference, and because I think it’s cool and you should really do the tour if you ever get the chance, Alcatraz became a Federal Penitentiary in 1933, meaning, the Thunder Bay District Jail is older).

However, right around its centenary birthday, it will be replaced by the new mega-jail being built out by the existing Correctional Centre, in 2026.

Which should have working heat.

First Nations News

Patty Hajdu On the Hot Seat

Our Indigenous Services Minister, and Thunder Bay local, Patty Hajdu, is being pressured to do something about the lax oversight that has allowed non-Indigenous business organizations to win government contracts meant for Indigenous businesses.

Arguably the Liberals are not having a good go of it on this topic (or most of any topic really).

Recently the Liberals had their Employment Minister resign over a controversy surrounding his claim of Indigenous status being false, and being awarded contracts because of it in the mean time.

There was then also the swift removal of 1,100 companies off the Indigenous Business Registry which felt knee-jerk and not very, shall we say, transparent?

All of this has led to Jason Rasevych, President of the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association, to call for a more transparent and independent screening process, which should include Indigenous leaders.

Sounds reasonable to me.

Get Your Christmas On 🎄

Get Ready for the Fatman Coming Down the Chimney!

Willow Springs Holiday Market - Nov. 29, 29, 30

Wrap-Up Holiday Market - CLE Coliseum - Nov. 30

Vanderwees Salute to Christmas Craft Fair - Nov. 30, Dec. 1

Indigenous Artist Market - Goods & Co. - Nov. 30

30+ Pop-Up Vendors - Goods & Co. - Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22

Santa Visiting & Photos - Vanderweese - Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22

Pet Pics With Santa - Intercity Shopping Centre - Dec. 7, 14; 4pm-6pm
* proceeds to local rescues

Santa Photos - Intercity Shopping Centre - Nov 16-Dec 24
Monday - Friday in November 3pm-7pm
Monday - Friday in December 11am - 7pm
Saturday - 10am - 6pm
Sunday - 11am - 5pm
Dec. 23 - 10am - 8pm
Dec. 24 - 10am - 2pm (he’s gotta get back to the North Pole!)

Breakfast With Santa - Thunder Bay Country Market - Dec. 14; 8am - 10am

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

Of Marriage Minded Misses
Cambrian Players
November 27-30 - 7:30pm
$25-$30

Something Rotten Jr
Paramount Theatre
November 28-30 - 7pm
$15

TBSO Masterworks - Symphonic Spotlight
Community Auditorium
November 29 - 7:30pm
$25-$50

Crossroads Music Battle of the Bands
Nortenos Cantina
November 29-30 - 10pm
$ Free

Thunder Bay Historical Film Festival
Community Auditorium
December 1 - 7pm
$ Free

LAKEHEAD ATHLETICS:

Women’s Basketball vs Wilfrid Laurier - Nov. 29 - 6pm
Women’s Basketball vs Carlton - Nov. 30 - 6pm

Men’s Basketball vs Wilfrid Laurier - Nov. 29 - 8pm
Men’s Basketball vs Carleton - Nov. 30 - 8pm
Tickets

Home of the Day

2550 15th Side Rd.

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

3+2 bedrooms
4+1 bathrooms
2,374 sq ft

$699,000

2 story, wood fireplace, sauna, backyard ravine!