Shows / The Minutes
The Minutes
The Minutes is a weekly exploration of Thunder Bay’s City Council meetings.
Each episode features an overview of the latest meeting, plus engaging interviews with city staff and administration, providing detailed insights and perspectives beyond traditional news coverage.
“The Minutes” is presented by the City of Thunder Bay and is not politically affiliated with individual councillors.
Episodes
The MinutesVictoriaville - May 12 2025
Victoriaville Mall will be deconstructed, or torn down this summer, and Victoria Avenue rebuilt over the coming year. We'll hear about how this major project…
The MinutesAnimal Services - May 5, 2025
City Council learned about some changes to how Animal Services will now respond to calls for service in Thunder Bay. Policy and Research Analyst Kristyn…
The MinutesTemporary Village Location - April 28, 2025
Thunder Bay City Council chose a location for the Temporary Village this week. Encampment Lead Rilee Willianen stops by to talk about the Kam River Heritage…
The Minutes2025 Summer Events - April 21 2025
It's almost summer in Thunder Bay, and that means it's events season! Learn about all of the upcoming 2025 events with host Jeff Walters and Special Events…
The MinutesDelegated Authority - April 14, 2025
There was a lot on the agenda at Thunder Bay City Council this week, with Host Jeff Walters giving a rundown on the James Whalen Tug, Council Composition…
- The Minutes
Delegated Authority - April 14, 2025
A busy week at Thunder Bay City Council, including decisions on the James Whalen tug, Council Composition and the Temporary Village. Host Jeff Walters has a…
The MinutesVillage Location - April 7, 2025
City Council made a decision on the location for the temporary village this week. Encampment lead Rilee Willianen will tell us about the location and when it…
The MinutesSuperior North EMS - March 24, 2025
Superior North EMS continues to work on its Master Plan, including changes to EMS stations in the District, and expanding Community Paramedicine in Thunder…
The MinutesHousing Accelerator Fund - March 17, 2025
Thunder Bay met all of its targets for year one of the Housing Accelerator Fund. We'll hear what that means going forward from Project Manager Summer…
The MinutesCouncil Governance Review - March 10, 2025
Thunder Bay City Council could operate with a new model in the near future. The Clerk's Office wants to hear what the public thinks of a new governance model…
The MinutesOrganics and Garbage Auto-cart update - March 3, 2025
This fall, some homes across Thunder Bay will get a new garbage bin, as the City rolls out its auto-cart program. Later on, the new organics recycling program…
The MinutesOne-Stop Development Shop - February 24, 2025
Joel DePeuter, Director of Development Services stops by The Minutes studio to talk about the new One-Stop Development Shop, and how it will make it easier to…
The MinutesOperating Budget - February 10, 2025
City Council ratified the 2025 Operating Budget on Monday night. City Treasurer and Commissioner of Corporate Services Keri Greaves will talk about the 2025…
The Minutes2025 Operating Budget - January 20, 2025
City Manager John Collin speaks with host Jeff Walters about the proposed 2025 Operating Budget. Council will deliberate the budget, with ratification slated…
The MinutesBoulevard Garden By-law - January 13, 2025
The Boulevard Garden and Maintenance By-law was presented to council for a third time, after incorporating feedback from Council in December. Climate Action…
The MinutesCommunity, Youth and Cultural Funding 2025 - January 6, 2025
We start the New Year with an update on the Community, Youth and Cultural Funding program for 2025 with Callie Hemsworth. Host Jeff Walters has a rundown of…
The MinutesYear-end with John Collin - December 23, 2024
City Manager John Collin sits down with Host Jeff Walters to give a year-end review, and look ahead to what 2025 could bring to the City of Thunder Bay. Hint…
The MinutesBoulevard Garden By-law - December 16, 2024
City Council asked for a few changes to the proposed Boulevard Garden and Maintenance By-law. Danielle Thom, the Climate Action Specialist will talk about why…
The MinutesParking Changes - December 9, 2024
There are more changes coming to parking in Thunder Bay. Municipal Parking Services Supervisor Jonathan Paske explains what these changes are, and how they…
The MinutesSnowplowing - December 2, 2024
The first snowfall of the year is now on the ground, and Roads Manager Ian Spoljarich will explain how the Roads Division tackles plowing, salting and sanding…
The MinutesVillage Location - November 25, 2024
This week, City Council debated the proposed location for a temporary village. Rilee Willianen, the City's Encampment Lead, will discuss next steps for the…
The MinutesCrossing Guards - November 18, 2024
It will be easier for kids to cross the street at three schools in Thunder Bay, with new crossing guards being posted across the city. Crossing Guard…
The Minutes2025 Capital Budget - November 4, 2024
Council got its first look at the 2025 Capital Budget, with Commissioner of Corporate Services and City Treasurer Keri Greaves explaining why this proposed…
The MinutesDigital Strategy - October 28, 2024
Booking a campsite or swimming lessons online are now possible because of the city's digital strategy. Director of Corporate Information Technology Jack Avella…
The MinutesTemporary Homeless Village - October 21, 2024
City Council spent a lot of time debating the creation of a village site as a response to encampments in Thunder Bay. Drug Strategy Specialist Rilee Willianen…
The MinutesTransit Transformation - October 7, 2024
Thunder Bay Transit will undergo a transformation over the next couple of years. Transit Manager Brad Loroff will give us a look at what's in store. Host Jeff…
The MinutesCity Council Composition - September 23, 2024
City Clerk Krista Power brings an update on what the City Council Composition Review Committee has been up to for the past year, and what options will be…
The MinutesJames Whalen Tugboat - September 16, 2024
The future of the James Whalen tugboat was decided at the September 16 council meeting. Parks and Open Spaces Manager Cory Halvorsen will talk about what…
The MinutesOutdoor Rinks - September 9, 2024
A new policy for outdoor rinks is the focus at this week's City Council meeting. Parks and Open Spaces Manager Cory Halvorsen talks about why it's important to…
The MinutesNew Pumper Truck for Thunder Bay Fire Rescue - August 26, 2024
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Chief Dave Paxton discusses the approval to purchase a new pumper truck, and how TBFR budgets and plans for asset maintenance and…
The MinutesEncampment Guidelines Revisited - August 12, 2024
We discuss why encampment distance guidelines are remaining the same in Thunder Bay, along with announcing some changes to parking in the North Core. As well…
The MinutesEncampment Guidelines Revisited - August 12, 2024
City Council revisited encampment guidlines this week, and we'll hear why no changes were recommended. As well, we will hear about changes to parking in the…
The MinutesHousing Accelerator Fund - July 22, 2024
Details on the incentives available to get more homes and apartments built in Thunder Bay were released this week, with Housing Accelerator Coordinator Darrik…
The MinutesRecreation and Facilities Master Plan - July 15, 2024
This week, we'll hear how the City is moving forward on its Recreation and Facilities Master Plan - which is more than hockey and baseball. Callie Hemsworth…
The MinutesEncampments and farewell to Norm Gale - June 24, 2024
This week, Cynthia Olsen, the Director of Strategy and Engagement and Rilee Willianen, a Policy and Research Analyst will talk about encampments and how the…
The MinutesPaid Parking Amendments - June 17, 2024
Paid parking was back on the agenda this week as City Council heard a number of deputations in opposition to the recently increased rates and times. In this…
The MinutesOutdoor Rinks - June 3, 2024
Ice is the hot topic this week at City Council, as we chat with Parks and Open Spaces Manager Cory Halvorsen about Outdoor Rinks. Host Jeff Walters also has a…
The MinutesIndoor Turf - May 27, 2024
City council voted to proceed with a design-build RFP for the proposed Indoor Turf Facility. Kayla Dixon, the director of engineering will discuss what this…
The MinutesFleet Electrification - May 13, 2024
This week, Kelvin Jankowski, the Manager of Capital Facilities Construction talks about changing Thunder Bay's fleet to zero-emission vehicles. Council heard a…
The MinutesRecycling Changes and Asset Management - May 6, 2024
On this week’s episode of The Minutes, Manager of Solid Waste and Recycling Services Jason Sherband updates us on the new curbside recycling program starting…
The MinutesDesignated Encampments - April 22, 2024
The potential for designated encampments in Thunder Bay is the big topic at City Council this week. Cynthia Olsen, the Director of Strategy and Engagement will…
The MinutesConservatory - April 15, 2024
Parks and Open Spaces Manager Cory Halvorsen drops by to talk about Phase Two of the Centennial Botanical Conservatory renovation. The two-year job will…
The MinutesEmerald Ash Borer - April 8, 2024
City Forester Dan Corbett talks about the Emerald Ash Borer strategy, and how ash trees are being replaced throughout Thunder Bay. Host Jeff Walters has a…
The MinutesCommunity Safety and Well Being - March 25, 2024
Community Safety and Well-Being Specialist Lee-Ann Chevrette drops by to speak about the CSWB Plan, and how it impacts people across Thunder Bay. Host Jeff…
The MinutesIntegrity Commissioner - March 18, 2024
City Clerk Krista Power joins host Jeff Walters to talk about the Integrity Commissioner report, and explain exactly what this third-party does. Also, there…
The MinutesHousing Accelerator - March 11, 2024
On this week's episode, Housing Accelerator Project Manager Summer Stevenson talks about how the City can spur development using federal funding, and host Jeff…
The MinutesMarch 4, 2024 - Culture Plan
On this episode of The Minutes, Louisa Costanzo, Supervisor of Cultural Development, Community Programming & Events speaks about the City's Culture Plan, and…
The MinutesFebruary 26, 2024 - Planning, Housing and Public Meetings
Planning Manager Devon McCloskey stops by to talk about planning, developing housing, and how public meetings all tie in together. Host Jeff Walters has a…
The MinutesFebruary 12, 2024 - Budget Ratification
City Treasurer Keri Greaves and Budget Manager Jesse Langen sit down to discuss the approval and ratification of the 2024 budget, and what it means for…
The MinutesJanuary 29, 2024 - Handing Over The Budget
This week’s episode of The Minutes features an interview with City Manager Norm Gale as Thunder Bay City Council starts its budget deliberations. Gale speaks…
The MinutesJanuary 23, 2024 - 2024 Budget Overview
This special edition of The Minutes focuses on the 2024 municipal budget. City Treasurer Keri Greaves joins host Jeff Walters to talk about how the City budget…
The MinutesJanuary 22, 2024 - Parking Authority Financial Plan
The Minutes highlights the January 22, 2024 Thunder Bay City Council meeting. It also features an interview with Jonathan Paske, Supervisor - Parking Authority…
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Inaugural Episode - January 10, 2024
The inaugural episode of The Minutes highlights the January 8, 2024 Thunder Bay City Council meeting. It also features an interview with City Manager Norm…