Thunder Bay City Hall Sign - Acadia Broadcasting Files

The City of Thunder Bay launched its first podcast aiming to improve communication with the public by providing another way to share city information.

“The Minutes” podcast will offer an in-depth look at the decisions made following each City Council meeting. Thunder Bay’s communication officer will host the weekly show and listeners can expect a brief recap of the council meeting, and conversations with municipal leaders and staff.

Cities like Kenora, Guelph and Whistler, B.C., are among some municipalities using podcasts to offer more context on current issues, decisions, or upcoming initiatives.

“Podcasts are not intended to replace the way municipalities interact with local news media – instead, they’re a creative addition to a municipality’s existing communication platforms,” said Stacey Levanen, supervisor of corporate communications and community engagement. “They’re an effective way to connect with residents who don’t read local newspapers or have a computer, and with those who may prefer to listen rather than read about their city.”

The Minutes is produced in-house and led by the city’s corporate communications & community engagement division. Episodes will be released every Wednesday following a scheduled Council meeting.