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Council Composition Committee launching survey for feedback

By CJ Goater Oct 4, 2024 | 7:00 AM

Thunder Bay Council Chambers (File Photo)

The future of the composition of Thunder Bay’s city council continues to be under the spotlight.

The Council Composition Committee is launching a survey to get the community’s input on the two current options for the future of city council’s composition.

Option one:

  • Change the ward boundaries to create four wards as part of a hybrid council
  • Eight ward Councillors with two councillors elected per ward, and two at-large Councillors
  • Registered voters would cast a ballot for five seats at the council table: two Councillors per ward, two at-large Councillors and the Mayor

“This option addresses concerns in phase one focus groups and public engagement, including Councillor workload, representation of urban and rural areas, distributed population amongst wards, and to base wards off of geographical elements and make neighbourhoods whole,” said the city in a release.

Most large cities in Ontario have ward systems with few opting for only an at-large system.

Option two:

  • Ten Councillors-at-large, plus a Mayor
  • Registered voters would cast eleven votes: one for Mayor, and ten for Councillor-at-large

“We need to hear from the public on how they feel they can be best represented,” said the Chair of the Council Composition Review Committee, Rebecca Johnson. “This committee has reviewed options and heard what the public feels is important. Now, it’s time to hear what people think will be the best composition of council going forward.”

The survey is launching on Monday and will be available for three weeks.

Paper copies will be available for pick-up at City Hall and at Thunder Bay Public Library branches.

The composition committee will also be visiting the following locations around the city to collect feedback in person:

  • 55-Plus Centre, River Street, Oct. 10
  • Northwood Ward Meeting, Oct. 10
  • Westfort Ward Meeting, Oct. 16
  • Neebing Ward Meeting, Oct. 17
  • Thunder Bay Country Market, Oct. 19
  • McIntyre Ward Meeting, Oct. 24
  • Lakehead University Thunderwolves Hockey Game, Fort William Gardens, Oct. 26
  • Current River Ward Meeting, Nov. 12

After the consultation period is over a recommendation will be made to City Council to consider in early 2025.

The last change to Thunder Bay City Council’s composition was in 1985.

Any changes made to the composition of council would be in place for the 2026 election.

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