Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Thunder Bay is looking for input on its proposed Smart Growth Action Plan, a strategy aimed at expanding the city’s tax base, strengthening the local workforce, and attracting new residents.
“The Smart Growth Action Plan is all about building opportunity in Thunder Bay,” said Matthew Pearson, senior advisor for growth. “As we launch our public engagement, we want to make sure residents are seeing themselves in this plan.”
The city has launched an online survey, available at www.thunderbay.ca/getinvolved, which remains open until July 4. Residents can also send feedback and growth ideas via email to gr****@********ay.ca.
Two public town halls will be held later this month to provide more details on the plan and gather community input:
- June 25, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Mary J.L. Black Public Library
- June 26, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Oliver Road Community Centre
“The Smart Growth Action Plan will mobilize people and organizations across Thunder Bay toward a common vision for sustainable and inclusive growth,” said City Manager John Collin. “This is not just a city strategy – it’s a community plan focused on action and real, measurable progress.”
The action plan is being developed by Task Force Growth, a group of 25 community leaders and representatives from major local institutions. The task force was created earlier this year to provide guidance on the plan’s development and bring together expertise on economic and community growth.
The plan will align with a Growth Assessment & Strategy to be released simultaneously by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC).
“Our economic assessment and strategy will complement and strengthen the City of Thunder Bay’s Smart Growth Action Plan by identifying actionable opportunities to attract new investment and support business expansion,” said Jamie Taylor, CEDC CEO and co-vice chair of the task force.
The final version of the Smart Growth Action Plan is expected to go before Thunder Bay City Council for approval this fall.