Employee Spotlight

It is an election year in Thunder Bay, and that means our Elections Coordinator is diligently preparing for a smooth, transparent, and fair election process for our newly elected City Council.

Crystal DePeuter joined the City of Thunder Bay in September 2024 after spending nearly a decade working for the federal government at the Thunder Bay–Superior North Constituency Office. In her current role as Council and Committees Clerk, she supports City Council and related committees by coordinating meetings and meeting materials and liaising with Council and committee members to help achieve their mandates while working within legislative guidelines in a deadline-driven environment.

In an election year, the Council and Committees Clerk is seconded to the role of Elections Coordinator. Crystal will serve in this capacity throughout 2026 and into spring 2027 to support the preparation, reporting, and wrap-up of the municipal election.

As this is Crystal’s first election, she has enjoyed the cross-departmental collaboration and getting to know employees across the organization.

“There are many moving parts in coordinating an election, and it involves multiple people with differing areas of expertise,” says Crystal. “I am certainly not working in a silo. There are many challenges in overseeing a project with so many pieces, but it is also very satisfying to see it all come together.”

Preparation for the 2026 election is supported by the Office of the City Clerk and an incredible team of election staff. Crystal has also been working with Corporate Communications to share key information; Municipal Enforcement Services to manage election signs; the City’s mapping professionals to confirm ward boundaries; Human Resources to hire election workers; and Corporate Information Technology to coordinate the computers and devices required for election day. Many other departments and divisions are also contributing to various deliverables.

When she isn’t championing democracy, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family, reading mystery books, tending her garden, and walking her dog—a young, high-energy Akita.

As the Coordinator, Financial Services, Laura Cumming supports the administration of corporate revenue processing systems and assists with reporting, reconciliation, and training within those systems.

She was nominated for the Employee Spotlight by a colleague for her software expertise and her approachable demeanour. She is described as helpful, kind, and an overall wealth of knowledge.

Laura originally came to the City of Thunder Bay as an Early Childhood Education worker in 2011, a job she enjoyed for many years in the private sector prior to her employment with the City. Craving a career change, Laura went on to take a position with Parking Authority. The administrative and financial aspects of this job qualified her for the role of Revenue Clerk with Community Services before she came into her current role in 2021.

“I love that you can do different things within the City,” says Laura. “I had the opportunity to take leadership training and have been able to grow professionally because the City invested in me.”

Laura enjoys the problem-solving challenges of troubleshooting new software and correcting system glitches, balanced with collaboration across various City departments. On any given day, she could be correcting system failures, finding workarounds, assisting colleagues to do journal entries, or getting set up with payment processing devices.

Outside of work, Laura spends time with her family and is living the quintessential #momlife.

Jennifer Bourgeois has been with the City of Thunder Bay since 2008, when she started at Animal Services. From there, she took on a temporary position in Parking, moved through a few different roles, and eventually found her home as a Clerk with Community Services. She worked in Victoriaville until 2018, when she moved to the Pool 6 office — where she is today.

“Our office is right on the lake, and the views are amazing,” she says. “I often stop on my way in to take pictures of the sunrise, the baby ducks, or whatever else I might get to see.”

What Jennifer enjoys most about her role is that no two days are ever the same.

With cruise ships docking right outside the main door and visitors regularly stopping by during the summer, Jennifer’s workplace is in the middle of one of Thunder Bay’s most active and welcoming spaces. She is often one of the first people the public connects with when they have questions about the Marina, boat slips, park amenities, local attractions, or community programming.

Jennifer says one of the most rewarding parts of the job is supporting the many programs, services, and events that help bring the community together. From walks and runs, ice bookings, and Winter FunDays to the Live on the Waterfront concert series, Community Services plays a key role in making these experiences possible. She also highlights the impact of PRO Kids, which helps children from families experiencing financial need participate in recreation opportunities.

“How great is that?” she says.

While helping the public is something Jennifer values deeply, it can also be one of the more challenging parts of the role — especially when answers are not immediately available. Even so, she always makes a point of following up and doing everything she can to help.

“I provide the service I’d expect to get if I were the one asking the questions,” she says.

For Jennifer, the people she works with and seeing the difference her team makes every day is most rewarding.

“Without this team, none of the City’s events would be possible,” she says. “We have a great group, we appreciate each other, and I really am thankful every day.”

Karen Thomson loves animals and always has. 

“There’s never been a time when I haven’t had animals in my life—dogs, cats, birds—they’ve always been around me, and they’re also what I like most about my job,” says Karen, who works at the City of Thunder Bay as a Dispatch Clerk for Municipal Enforcement Services at 882 Alloy Place.

She has worked there for 20 years and remembers when she started in the kennels, helping clean, feed, and care for dogs and cats.

“We care for every dog that comes in until we can locate the owner or get them to a place where they will be loved and can thrive,” she says.

Today, she handles both animal and bylaw calls, as well as in-person inquiries. She coordinates the intake of stray dogs and at large or sick and injured cats. She and her team will check for microchips and help with any care that they might need.

“We work with a strong network of organizations to find homes for the dogs we get, although it can take time in some cases to find the right fit,” she says. “But for certain breeds, we can find someone to take them fairly quickly.”

When she is not working on animal-related calls and care, Karen fills in during breaks and lunches for other bylaw-related calls.

“You learn a lot from working in customer service for 20 years; I’ve connected with so many amazing people, caring groups, and also my team, who often go the extra mile to help animals and our community overall.”

Charlotte McNeill and Mike Croft began working at the City of Thunder Bay at the same time in September 2025. Coincidentally, they had just met a few days prior they were seated alongside each other.

Now, eight months on the job as Encampment Coordinator and Encampment Navigator, it’s clear that they were meant to work together as both have a passion for making an impact in the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

“It means being there every day on the ground helping others who are struggling,” says Mike, who brings 25 years of community outreach, as well as his own lived experience with substance use and homelessness, to the job. “I was once there myself, fighting addiction and trying to find a way to survive the elements, so this work is very close to my heart.”

Charlotte nods and says she doesn’t want to phone Mike with more bad news.

“You get to really know people seeing them daily, and, in some cases, they are clients we’ve known for years from our previous work in the vulnerable sector,” she says. “It’s tough losing people, but we keep showing up because sometimes all it takes for someone to turn their life around is to have one person who won’t give up on them.”

As Charlotte and Mike visit the encampments throughout the city, they check on everyone.

“First and foremost, we need to know that they are safe and that they are alive,” says Mike. “We build relationships with people so they trust that our check-ins are just so we know that they are ok.”

Often the Encampment Response Team will be called to new locations where a tent or tents are being set up, and, wherever possible, Charlotte and Mike will help find a more suitable spot.

“There’s a common misconception that people in encampments don’t want help. Yet, given the choice, most of them will accept help provided it is an option that meets their needs such as allowing for pets or couples,” says Mike.

The City’s Temporary Village is set to fully open this year, providing up to 80 units, and the team is already hearing from people who want to move there. In addition, three main encampment locations will be determined by City Council, which will help with emergency response coordination, as well as the streamlining of services such as infection disease visits, foot care, and food distribution.

When asked about challenges of their work, the team cites the level of frustration and misconceptions about the complexities of homelessness and addiction as the most difficult aspect of their work.

“It’s hard when there’s a lack compassion for others, especially in the wake of a recent loss,” says Charlotte who keeps a board in her office with photographs of those who have died of overdose and addiction. “I keep them close because I don’t want them to be forgotten.”

Mike agrees, “I read something recently that said, ‘treat people as sacred until they learn that they’re sacred,’ and as long as I’m alive, that’s what I will do—I’m not giving up on anyone.”

Cheyenne Lucky loves working on the waterfront.

“My favourite shift is in the morning, when the sun is rising over the Sleeping Giant—it’s an awesome way to start the day with such a beautiful view.” 

Since 2024, she has worked for the City of Thunder Bay as a Facility Attendant at Prince Arthur’s Landing, where she supports community programming and the day-to-day operations of the Water Garden Pavilion and Baggage Building Arts Centre.

“It’s very rewarding getting to know people as they visit the waterfront and discover the many exciting things happening here throughout the year.”

Most recently, Cheyenne has spent Sundays supporting CAHEP’s community art projects, where she prepares and organizes the space to ensure it is clean, welcoming, and equipped with adequate, accessible seating and workstations. She also connects with the public by offering guidance, answering questions, and encouraging participation, helping to foster an inclusive environment.

“There’s a lot of value in the collaborative partnerships the City has that allow for free community events and programming that bring people together.”

Cheyenne describes herself as a people-person and has volunteered and worked with the public throughout the city. She is currently enrolled at Confederation College and plans to become a developmental services worker or social worker.

“I’m considering future pathways where I can use my skills to empower others and make a greater impact.” 

Her colleagues describe her as incredibly passionate about her work and dedicated to helping others.

“I love people and see everyone as a book—you only see the cover until you open the pages and discover the unique story within.”

As the skating season ends, Cheyenne looks forward to returning to the Prince Arthur’s Landing Splash Pad this June for what’s sure to be another exciting summer on the waterfront.

Jill Thompson began working at the City of Thunder Bay as a college summer student in 2002, supporting Facilities based out of the Front Street and Egan Yard.

“I remember working with another student, and we had a van to take to odd jobs around the city. The most memorable was when we were tasked with cleaning the Terry Fox monument,” says Jill. “It was enjoyable work, and I liked the people. Even then, I knew I would one day like to work full-time for the City.”

Previously, Jill decided to leave the nest and move to Winnipeg to attend Red River College.

“It was a great experience to explore another city, but it wasn’t home, and I missed my parents, who were always incredibly supportive and encouraging. They helped shape my strong work ethic very early on,” says Jill.

She eventually decided to move back to Thunder Bay and enrol in the Environmental Engineering Technology program at Confederation College and worked as a summer student for the City of Thunder Bay.

After graduating, Jill began working full-time in the lab at the City’s Water Treatment Plant. From there, she moved on to the Water Pollution Control Plant.

“I found lab work interesting and learned a lot, but I wanted to explore other opportunities,” she says. “One of the great things about working at the City of Thunder Bay is the opportunity for career mobility. You can move into other positions, develop new skills, and grow professionally.”

In 2010, Jill joined Accounts Payable within the Revenue department and remained there until 2013, when she saw an opportunity in Development Services that interested her.

“I applied and was hired as a Planning Technician, and I found that I really enjoyed working on land-use policies within the development process and helping projects align with municipal regulations.”

She later leveraged her experience to become a Certified Planning Technician (CPT), a designation that recognizes professionals skilled in areas such as land use planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drafting, and design.

In 2022, Jill’s education and planning experience helped her advance to a new opportunity as a Property Agent with the City’s Realty Services department, where she remains today.

“I love my job—this is where I’ll be until I retire,” she says.

Describing her current work, Jill says there’s never a dull moment, as new files and projects come in daily year-round.

“It’s an exciting time to be involved, especially with the Smart Growth Action Plan, which focuses on increasing population, expanding housing supply, and strengthening the municipal tax base,” she explains. “We also launched a new One Stop Development Shop last year to centralize customer service and streamline processes to make things more efficient.”

In addition, Jill and her team are actively reviewing and surplussing City-owned land to make more vacant land available for housing development.

“It’s rewarding to be part of initiatives that have a real, tangible impact on our City’s growth and future,” she say

As a child, Traci Fisher-Zaiser dreamed of becoming a nurse.

“As long as I can remember, I wanted to be a nurse, and I’ve been lucky enough to turn that dream into a lifelong career,” says Traci, who this year marks 40 years 

Over the years, she has worked in primary care, mental health and addictions, education, home care, and long-term care.

After earning her nursing diploma, Traci began working at the hospital in her hometown of Brandon, Manitoba. It was there that she met her husband, who was aspiring to become a paramedic. The couple married and later moved to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia for work, where they lived for three years. However, the four-day drive back to Brandon to help their aging parents eventually became too difficult.

While exploring their options, Traci’s husband saw a job posting for an air ambulance paramedic in Thunder Bay. They made the move in 2003, and a year later, Traci began working in long-term care for the City of Thunder Bay.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked in many different organizations and roles, which has helped me realize that long-term care is where I feel most at home,” says Traci, who is currently the Director of Nursing at Pioneer Ridge Long-Term Care and Senior Services. “I especially enjoy building rapport and forming meaningful connections with residents — it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Traci extends her people-focused approach to staff as well. She mentors employees, some of whom she previously taught in the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program at Confederation College.

“Relationships are at the heart of everything we do at Pioneer Ridge. Whether it’s interacting with residents and their families or supporting one another across departments, we truly operate as one big family.”

Pioneer Ridge is a designated Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO), recognized for enhanced resident care, its palliative care approach, and a culture of excellence that includes ongoing professional development. Most recently, it became the first long-term care home in Northwestern Ontario to implement the Butterfly Approach.

“The Butterfly Approach is a model of compassionate care that values emotional needs as much as physical care, shaping daily routines around each resident’s preferences. It’s about meeting residents at their level — focusing on what they need and want each day,” says Traci. “For example, one resident is a Montreal Canadiens fan, so staff sometimes wear team jerseys to help strengthen connections and foster a greater sense of belonging.”

Responsible for 200 staff members and 150 residents, Traci describes her role as busy but deeply fulfilling.

“Anyone who enjoys connecting with others and making a positive difference every day is encouraged to join our team,” she says. “We are a people-driven organization and look for individuals who have a genuine interest in supporting older adults.”

To learn more about the benefits of working at Pioneer Ridge, visit: https://careers.thunderbay.ca/nursing

Anyone who has visited the third floor of City Hall in Thunder Bay might recall a large oil painting of a mother nursing her infant. Maternity was bequeathed to the

by Mary Riter Hamilton, in honour of her late husband and stillborn child whom she lost in her mid-20s while establishing a life in Port Arthur. The loss led Mary to become a professional artist, and she went on to study art and travel extensively including enduring harrowing conditions abroad to produce the largest known collection of First World War art.

Caitlyn McMillan’s position as Cultural Development & Public Art Coordinator with the City of Thunder Bay emphasizes the significance of such relevant artworks in the City’s collection, which recently saw Dr. Laura Lewis, an Associate Professor at the Kings School of Social Work, visit City Hall to study the painting for a legacy paper on Mary Riter-Hamilton.

“Art has real tangible value and is an asset that appreciates over time, and the City owns a considerable collection, much of it touching on our history and culture or having some type of connection to our city and region,” says Caitlyn. “Part of my job is help raise awareness and appreciation of local art and artists in the community and beyond.”

Caitlyn, an artist herself, began working at the City in April 2025 after returning to Thunder Bay, where she had previously lived and worked while studying Fine Art at Lakehead University from 2004 to 2008.

“I love Thunder Bay—the people and places, the wilderness and the lake; we are surrounded by inspiration here,” she says. “Without a doubt, Thunder Bay is home, and that’s not about to change—even with all this snow.”

The experience of studying art and working in art galleries, as well as running her own art business that provided programming to introduce and mentor artists of all ages provides Caitlyn with helpful insight that she applies in her current role. She describes her time thus far on the job as busy, juggling internal and public art projects, the Arts & Heritage Awards, Culture Days, and activating the Baggage Building, while collaborating with community groups to support cultural elements in special events and advancing the City’s Culture Plan to “Create. Connect. Grow.”

“There’s a lot happening right now. Things are always evolving at the City, so there’s a lot to catch up on with where we’re at and where we want to be in terms of our art inventory and awareness projects, while also planning for upcoming Call to Artists, including Victoriaville Re-Imagined.”

Overall, Caitlyn sees a growing interest in art, and she aims to ensure that it remains accessible and user-friendly for everyone, and that people understand its importance.

“Art can be life-changing, especially as a balance to today’s fast-paced world and short attention spans. It offers a chance to slow down, explore, and express ourselves in a meaningful way,” she says. “And, on a deeper level, art is therapeutic. I’m a strong believer that it is one of the most effective healing tools available. It can be fun and creative, and an opportunity to freely express oneself beyond words.”

To learn more about the City of Thunder Bay’s art collection, visit City Art Collection online or contact Caitlyn directly at caitlyn.mcmillan@thunderbay.ca

Ten years ago, Brenden Forbes began working as a Primary Care Paramedic for the Thunder Bay District. He attributes Brenden Forbes, Paramedic, Peer Support Worker, Superior North EMS his previous work

experience in the fast-paced foodservice industry in Southern Ontario and Vancouver, as well as serving in northern bush camps, as providing him with key transferable skills that support his work today as a Peer Support and Wellness Coordinator with Superior North EMS.  

“Seventeen years working in restaurants and kitchens taught me a lot in terms of customer service and understanding what needs to be done and when, as well as adapting to changing environments—all of that applies in the work I do now,” says Brenden, who this year marked ten years with Superior North EMS.

Still, he describes each day as unpredictable, saying the biggest challenge is coordinating a supportive response for Paramedics facing critical incidents and knowing how much support is needed based on the different situations. 

“It’s important to check in with everyone to ensure they know that they're supported,” he says. “Trust is a big part of it—getting to know how best to connect with people so they feel seen and understood. I’m always looking for my team’s input on what mental health support looks like for them, which can be different for everyone.”

Currently, he is exploring grant opportunities after securing money from Warrior Health to provide training and additional support to his Peer Support Team and the Paramedics overall.

“While I do work independently, I also require the guidance, support, and input from everyone at SNEMS to do my job effectively. I value the guidance from the Chief and management, especially when it comes to tackling new and larger projects at a provincial level,” he says.

Brenden was nominated by his peers, who recognize his many contributions. They wrote:

"Brenden does so much and continues to do his best to ensure that we, his fellow colleagues, are all appreciated. He actively promotes the profession of paramedicine in person and online and displays great leadership qualities among his peers. He organizes events throughout the District and reaches out to partner with other organizations to bring us education on various aspects of everyday living, such as health, life skills, and financial literacy, to name a few. Brenden, we just want to say thank you from all of us at SNEMS.”

Walk into the 55 Plus Centre and you’ll quickly see why Program & Marketing Coordinator Lisa Galon is proud to be celebrating 10 years there.

“It’s a busy, bustling environment with about 500 visitors a day and that’s because there’s so much to do,” she says. “And everyone is in a good mood which makes for a great atmosphere and worthy of the unofficial title of ‘Grand Central Station of Joy’ which is how my predecessor described it.”

Even the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, loved the time she spent there last summer. After singing with the guitar group and playing a round of pool in the billiards room, she wrote to the Centre praising it as one of a kind for the many activities available to enhance the lives of seniors.

Whether it’s embracing creativity, staying active, or connecting with others, there’s truly something for everyone. From woodworking and fix-it clubs to knitting, needlework, quilting, and photography and art classes, there are plenty of ways to explore hands-on skills and artistic talents. Those who prefer hobbies and games can dive into board and card games, while sports enthusiasts can stay fit with pickleball, 5-pin bowling, darts, bocce ball, and guided walking programs.

Of course, with great popularity comes great demand—especially for fitness classes, which Lisa says can be a challenge and a testament to the Centre’s skilled instructors and the community’s enthusiasm.

“It’s definitely a good problem to have,” she says. “And we have lots of alternatives such as other programs happening as well as engaging volunteer opportunities, and we also have a punch card option for those unable to register or want flexibility."

Coffee breaks and chats at the River Street Café and throughout the city also provide many opportunities for socializing and staying engaged in the community.

And no visit to the Centre would be complete without visiting the Gift Shop for amazing and affordable local and handmade art and crafts, the perfect place to make holiday shopping a cinch; after all, who doesn’t love a crocheted emotional-support pickle that reminds you that ‘you are a big dill’?

Be sure to follow the 55 Plus Centre Facebook page for updates, stories, and more, as well as check out the latest e-newsletter. And mark your calendars for December 8 when winter registration programs begin via The Key.

When Zora Cava moved to Thunder Bay, she remembers driving past the Sunken Gardens and thinking she would like to work there.

“As a landscaper, I was driving by Hillcrest Park and saw a crew working in the Sunken Gardens and I thought that would be the type of a job I would like to have. Then I saw a job posting, and here we are, standing in garden beds,” says Lead Hand Zora Cava.

She’s working in exciting times as a years-long renovation at the City of Thunder Bay's Centennial Botanical Conservatory nears completion.

“It’s been a labour of love for everyone involved. I can’t wait for people to walk in again, breathe it all in, and just immerse themselves in a little piece of heaven in our community.”   

New features include a multi-purpose space for classes, private events, and seasonal displays and the expansion of seasonal plants, including growing poinsettias and hydrangeas.

“For the most part it’s the same footprint but a lot more functional,” she says.

Before joining the City, Zora studied horticulture and spent years in greenhouses and landscaping, gaining the knowledge and hands-on experience to grow both indoors and outdoors in different climates.

“Working with plants illustrates the cyclical nature of life and its seasons, and it’s something we work really well with at the Conservatory as we prepare to once again be open to the public year-round.”

Whether it’s rare flowers, trees, tropical plants and cacti, plans for plants are always underway including caring for City-owned flowerpots and gardens throughout the community.

Between pruning and propagating, Zora’s job also involves working closely with local growers to plan and source plants for the season, including for special displays. From spring bulbs to summer perennials and new plantings to rare tropical plants and fruit trees, this is the kind of environment Zora thrives in.

“I love my job and the variety it brings,” she says. “I have to say it’s pretty nice pruning lemon trees in December when it’s a blizzard outside.”

Registered Early Childhood Educator, Adrienne Youmans, was recently described by a colleague as a beautiful human being, someone who has a way of making every child and parent feel seen.  

It’s easy to see that Adrienne is meant to work with children, as the children absolutely adore her. It’s something she comes by naturally since she was young.  

“I grew up with younger siblings, and I always loved looking after them,” says Adrienne. “I babysat a lot of the neighbourhood kids and embraced opportunities to take on caretaking roles at home and in school.” 

In high school, she took a co-op in a kindergarten class that led her to decide to pursue a career in childcare. After graduating, however, she decided to move to Australia for a year to experience life on a farm picking fruit in South Wales, followed by living on the Byron Bay coast, before returning to pursue Psychology at Lakehead University.  

“In school I was thinking about working in child psychology or development, and I realized I really loved working with children in their formative years, so I decided to take an Early Childcare Educator program in Ottawa before returning to Thunder Bay,” she says.  

Adrienne joined the City in 2007 where she supported all City-run daycares until becoming permanent at Woodcrest Daycare in 2017. 

“It’s a real sense of community at Woodcrest and an awesome place for families with my own boys going here who just love it,” says Adrienne. “It’s a very welcoming place for everyone.”  

Adrienne finds childcare very rewarding and enjoys working with her colleagues to engage children through play and supporting their emotional development in a safe and creative space.  

“Collaboration is essential in early childhood education. I work closely with colleagues, educators, parents and caregivers to support children every day. I feel very lucky to have a team where everyone supports each other.”  

Adrienne has a way of connecting with everyone, remembering names of parents and even grandparents.  

“The relationships I build with others including the children are very meaningful to me. I love making an impact in children’s lives and really being in the moment with kids and having their trust to let you in their little world, that’s the magic of childcare.” 

On behalf of everyone at the City of Thunder Bay, thank you, Adrienne, for all you do! 

Pat Berezowski knew early on that he wanted to pursue a life of golf. In high school, he played everyday at the Strathcona Golf Course and began working at a Pat Berezowski, Supervisor, Golf Services  private course when he was 18 years old.

“Since I was a teenager, I lived, breathed, and worked golf, and I still do,” says Pat who is currently the Supervisor of Golf Services at the City of Thunder Bay.

Before joining the City, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, from Lakehead University, and then headed west to the University of Victoria for the Golf Management Program.

“After graduating, I was hired to give golf lessons on cruise ships, which was a lot of fun, but I always felt pulled back to Thunder Bay to be close with my family and friends.” 

He soon returned to his hometown and began working at a private golf course while also training to become a PGA of Canada Golf Professional in 1996.

“As I expanded my professional development, I was interested in working for the City because I saw municipal golf as a welcoming environment that could connect with a wider range of people of all skill levels and ages, so I applied to an opening in 2007 and was hired,” he says.

“Every day is different, from various turf maintenance requirements to clubhouse operations, I take it all in stride and like to lead by example,” says Pat. “Ultimately, it’s a team effort to keep things running smoothly, and we have great people onboard who are passionate about what they do.”

This year, the City’s running a campaign titled, “Golf is Calling” to encourage people to come out to Chapples Golf Course and Strathcona Golf Course and try something new, meet new friends, and enjoy the positive physical and mental health benefits of golf. And what better time to get involved than during Strathcona’s 100th anniversary that includes a historical exhibit highlighting how the course came to be, along with photos of notable PGA pros who played there.

“Strathcona is one of the oldest golf courses in Canada with a rich history of delivering family friendly recreation,” says Pat. “Throughout its history it has had some interesting uses other than golf, including being a rifle range for elite soldiers in WW1 and a ski jump on the number five hill that still has a steep incline.”

When not helping plan special events, Pat keeps busy working with his teams to ensure premium conditions for optimal golfing. He is running the popular junior golf tour again this season that involves seven tournaments and 100 kids.

“There’s a lot of interest from young people to keep the sport alive here in Thunder Bay for another 100 years."

Strathcona Golf Course and Chapples Golf Course are open seasonally, seven days a week. To learn more, and book a tee-time, visit www.golfthunderbay.ca

After an established entrepreneurial career in the private sector that began as a young teen with a lawnmowing business, Matt Pearson decided to pursue a Matt Pearson, Senior Advisor, Growth  longtime interest in government by joining the City of Thunder Bay as a Central Support Manager in July 2021.

“I saw an opportunity to pivot towards more meaningful work that could reach a wider range of people, especially at the municipal level,” says Matt who moved with his wife to Thunder Bay from London, Ontario, 13 years ago.

His work experience in identifying growth opportunities in underperforming start-up companies, along with four years as a manager at the City, made him a good fit to guide the development of a Smart Growth Action Plan in his current role as Senior Advisor, Growth.  

“Basically, I was a growth guy before joining the Growth department,” says Matt. “I’ve enjoyed growing businesses in the past, and I apply that same lens today where I work alongside a passionate team who are committed to seeing Thunder Bay thrive in the long-term.”

Matt and the internal team are working with members of a 25-strong Growth Task Force comprised of community leaders across many local institutions who together are creating a ten-year Smart Growth Action Plan.

“To my knowledge, that’s never been done before, having a group of diverse community leaders come together to identify real, actionable steps for growth,” says Matt.  “It’s an exciting project; growth can provide opportunities to improve everything.”

The Smart Growth Action Plan is built around three core goals: expanding Thunder Bay’s tax base, strengthening the local workforce, and attracting new residents — all while enhancing community vibrancy, inclusivity, and readiness for sustainable growth.

“The plan is a living document that emphasizes sustainable growth over a longer term,” explains Matt. “At the same time, it’s a dynamic document that is adaptable to change to allow us to leverage the various opportunities that can happen over the course of a decade.”

Based on three pillars: Readiness – laying the groundwork for growth through planning, infrastructure, and internal coordination; Attraction – Making Thunder Bay a more compelling place to live, invest, and do business, and Talent – Attracting, developing and retaining the workforce needed to support long-term growth, the plan will see 80 to 110 actions over a 10-year period.

When asked about the biggest challenge of his job, Matt says he sees challenges as opportunities, to which he cites the process of engaging and educating a community that hasn’t experienced significant growth in a long time as a learning curve.

“We have to ensure that everyone can visualize what we’re trying to accomplish, that they see themselves in the Plan that makes us a stronger more vibrant city.”

A finalized version of the Smart Growth Action Plan will be presented to City Council for approval in the fall. Feedback is welcome via Get Involved until July 11 at thunderbay.ca/getinvolved or by emailing growth@thunderbay.ca.

Colleagues of Accounting and Administration Clerk Michele D’Arienzo describe her as, ‘an invaluable asset to the City of Thunder Bay, someone who embodies the Michele D'Arienzo spirit of teamwork, demonstrating kindness and respect and building strong relationships to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

Michele began working at the City of Thunder Bay 17 years ago knowing then it was the place for her.

“I was drawn to the diverse opportunities available, and that’s something that still appeals to me—no two days are the same,” she says.

She’s not alone in that; career mobility is one of the top reasons people join and stay at the City.

“Over the years I’ve enjoyed working at DSSAB, CEDC, Grandview Lodge, as well as in Parks and Community Services, in addition to volunteering on committees and for several community events. I’ve met a lot of great people along the way.”

Michele credits her parents for her interest in providing exceptional customer service as she grew up watching her mom excel in the clerical field and working with her dad at a local grocery store.

“Serving the public has been a huge part of my life so it’s something I’ve always enjoyed,” she says. “We have roots in Thunder Bay, it’s home, and I wouldn’t leave it for anywhere else.”  

Michele recently upgraded her accounting skills and was hired to support Thunder Bay Fire Rescue where her work involves providing reports relating to the budget and variances, processing invoices and fire permit applications, and a variety of other clerical tasks for eight Fire Stations and a Training Centre. She also plays a key role in supporting operations during emergency evacuations that our city hosts.

“My job is very rewarding. I’ve learned a lot from those who came before me and have helped me along my successful career path. I’m happy to be a part of a strong team dedicated to service excellence.”

Tamar Boileau, Childcare Worker at the Canada Games Complex daycare, inherently understands that it takes a village to raise a child. Afterall, she’s been caring for children, dressing, feeding and guiding them since she was 13 in the ‘50s and living in what’s known as a kibbutz community in Israel. Such close-knit, communities value social equality and shared resources including the raising of children. She describes the kibbutz as beautiful and credits it for her special way with children that sees her tell the kids she loves them daily and gives them what she calls an “energy hug” at the end of the day.

“I love my job because I love the children,” she says. “It’s important for children—for everyone—to feel loved,” she says.

It’s that kindness that sees adults who were cared for by Tamar over the past three decades return with their children today. And some who don’t have children at the daycare return nonetheless for a visit and to share a hug.

Tamar came to Thunder Bay after working in the kibbutz from the age of 13 to 33. She met her husband who was visiting Israel from Thunder Bay, and the two fell in love and decided for Tamar to make the move to Canada.

“When I flew to Thunder Bay and saw all the mountains and lakes, I thought I was in heaven,” she says. “I was so impressed by the beauty of all the trees and landscape; it was exciting to move to Canada and make Thunder Bay my home.”

She started a family and found employment as a dance and aerobic instructor and in part-time childcare before starting full-time at the Canada Games Complex daycare in 1986.

“I grow close to the children and their parents; it’s rewarding to help them at this busy stage of their lives.”

Once when a couple came to the daycare unscheduled because they had their dates mixed up, they ran into Tamar who was there working out. She could see they were desperate, so she offered to take the kids on her own time.  

“I try to set an example of how to love the kids and my job, because you have to care and give your 110 per cent, and that’s what I do.”

She points to one close call where she had a baby in her arms and tripped backwards over a toy that was left out. She took the fall to save the baby and since then became even more diligent to keep the daycare space clean and tidy.

Although everyone working in the child care room are part-time employees, she relishes in imparting her life experiences to her fellow workers. She just wishes some would stay for a longer time.

“You can’t be alone in a job like this. Children move quickly and you must be nimble,” she says. “Thankfully, I’m a problem-solver and have eyes in the back of my head, which helps me feel if something is going to happen before it happens, and this has allowed me to keep the children safe and accident-free over all these years.”

Houston Welsh knew early on what he wanted to do and where he wanted to do it: he would become a firefighter and continue to live in Northern Ontario.

“Growing up in Timmins, I was always close to nature and enjoyed things like hiking, biking and hockey,” says Houston.  

After completing a high school co-op program supporting the prevention and training divisions within the Timmins Fire Department, Houston went on to graduate from Northern College with a pre-service firefighter certificate. From there, he accepted a work experience program on a one-year contract with Merritt Fire Rescue in BC before returning to Timmins to enrol in a two-year paramedic program.

“After graduation I started looking at Thunder Bay as an affordable place to live and work with opportunities to grow. The city had everything I wanted, including being a great place to start a family.”

Houston joined the Thunder Bay Fire Rescue in 2011 as a Firefighter, and in 2021, he applied and was accepted for a temporary opening in the Training Division. As a Training Officer, he appreciated the work-life balance of the schedule and accepted a promotion to a permanent position in 2023.

His job involves training Firefighters through the ranks, starting with recruits. There are a lot of logistics involved in balancing who is available to support classes and where and when works best to ensure Firefighters receive the highest standard of training and certification in areas such as rescue, hazardous materials, and medical.

“While my job affords me some autonomy over how I schedule my day, I rely on the support of a wider team comprised of people who go out of their way to ensure our Firefighters are equipped with the best skills and knowledge to be successful in their jobs.”  

Next on the horizon for Houston and his team is the spring recruitment process where it’s not uncommon to receive upwards of 500 applicants.

“The website will be updated soon, and we encourage anyone interested in joining our team to apply.”

Applicants can learn more at www.thunderbay.ca/firerescue

Joyce Ruggles always liked office work and was open to where it might lead even if it included moving more than 2000 kilometres away to Nunavut for a couple years with her husband where she began working for the Government of Nunavut.

“It’s a really cool place; everyone should experience it,” she says. “The winters are longer, but it’s not any colder than it is here.”

Nonetheless, she was happy to return to Thunder Bay and join the City as an Administrative Assistant in 2021 in a temporary role that became permanent in 2022 where she supports the Infrastructure and Operations Department.

She describes her work as exciting, especially at the start of the year when construction season begins with plans and preparations for the work ahead.

“It’s a busy time of year as we gear up for roadwork, paving, and watermain work and the required contract books, tenders, and specs that go with that, which involves a lot of collaboration with Clerks and Engineering who are all an amazing group of people to work with,” says Joyce.

She balances the construction season work with her day-to-day duties like issuing permits, bag tags, and water FOBs that she says requires good time management.

“It’s rewarding to work in such a positive work culture that challenges me to learn new things and be a part of positive projects happening in the city.” 

Storms and sunrises are some of Susan Morgan’s favourite things. 

She feels lucky to have an open view of the dynamic skies that frame the Sleeping Giant from her office where she works as a Water Revenue Analyst in the City’s Revenue Division. 

“Sometimes, if I’m early enough in the morning, I’ll pull into Marina Park and snap some photos,” she says, “and I often walk along the waterfront during my lunchbreaks, it’s a beautiful place.”

Susan began at the City 30 years ago as a high school student in a co-operative placement with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, which then led to some temporary positions in Community Services and Parks and Recreation before joining Revenue in 1994. There, she worked as a Cashier and Billing Clerk before becoming a Water Revenue Analyst in 2007.

Her role includes the coordination and processing of all water bills for the City including residential, commercial and City properties. She works closely with her team throughout the billing cycle to ensure water meters and readings are accurate and aligned with payment schedules.

“The work is cyclical in nature where we are balancing today’s billing cycle while preparing for the next, so there’s always a lot to do, which can be challenging, but we have a good system and a good team that gets it done.”

While Susan often works independently, she relies on a wider team, including clerks, meter readers, and staff from other areas such as Sewer & Water, and Development Services, who together share key responsibilities to successfully complete the billing process.

“I’ve always gravitated to customer service,” says Susan. “I like anticipating the needs of people and working with my team to find answers and ways to always improve.”

This month we looked back at the Employee Spotlight series and reflected on our team and the meaningful work they do to keep our city running.

What began in 2020 as a way to appreciate employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, grew to encompass a wider connection with the community who resonated with the staff profiles we shared on social media.

We’ve enjoyed highlighting the purpose-driven people who make up our workforce. Their commitment to community is clear as they continue to provide the quality programs and services that help shape our city—past, present, and future.

From highlighting those on the frontlines of the pandemic, to present-day employees who share why they love working for the City on our new Careers pages, we’ve covered a lot of ground in five short years.

In 2024, we spotlighted employees working on exciting projects, such as Paula Cunningham with Build Thunder Bay, a housing initiative aimed at developing our city to become more modern, affordable, sustainable and prosperous, and Karen Kerk with CityStudio, an innovative program that links the potential of post-secondary students to City projects. We introduced new hires including City Treasurer Keri Greaves and Wellness Coordinator Brigitte Champaigne-Klassen, and we said goodbye to longtime City Manager Norm Gale and General Manager of Corporate Services Karen Lewis.

Of course, the employees we’ve profiled over the years and those yet to come are only a snapshot of the greater team here, and we wish to acknowledge all our employees who do great work serving our city every day.

Jeff Walters started at the City in 2022 as a Communications Officer supporting the Development and Emergency Services department before joining the Corporate Communications team in 2023.

It wasn’t long until the Community Communications Committee recognized an alignment with Jeff’s skills in radio, and on Jan. 10, 2024, The Minutes debuted as a City-run podcast hosted by Jeff that recaps what happens at City Council on a weekly basis. 

“My experience as a local radio reporter for 15 years with 12 of those years covering City Council helped me to develop an in-depth understanding of municipal government,” said Jeff. “Knowing who to connect with and what questions to ask, and just overall simplifying the decisions made at Council into a format that the public can more easily understand is something I’m proud to be a part of.”

The Minutes was recently recognized by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario in its 2024 Transparency Challenge that highlights creative and unique projects that advance open data and government transparency.

Each episode covers Council highlights on a weekly basis, along with an in-depth interview with a member of City administration to speak to the decisions made.

“I learned early on in my journalism career that people care about what’s happening in their communities—they want to know details, and they appreciate when someone makes the effort to share stories that matter to them. I take this same perspective today and apply it in my current job.”

As a previous journalist, Jeff spent considerable time traversing northern Ontario meeting many people who helped him cover stories of all kinds. “I travelled as far as Manitoba to the west, Fort Frances to the south, White River to the east, and Pickle Lake to the north to get the story, and I feel just as committed to sharing information now as I did then. It’s important to keep people informed.”

Sometimes getting the story can be challenging. “I rely on interviews to do my job, which can be difficult at times when it comes to planning in-studio sessions with staff who have competing priorities. But once the interview is complete, I can take it from there and work to edit the video and sync up the audio versions to be accessible online.”

The podcast can be heard on the City’s website, www.thunderbay.ca/theminutes, the City’s YouTube and social media channels, and through numerous podcast providers. Recently, the podcast began airing on Rogers TV, Tbaytel TV and CKSI Radio.

The City has a new Wellness Coordinator! Brigitte Champaigne-Klassen began in late June and has been immersing herself in all things health and wellness, planning new and improved programs and initiatives to promote employee mental health and wellbeing.

Recently, she focused on organizing a full week of employee appreciation events in October, designed to foster connection, fun, and inclusivity across City departments. These events featured a variety of activities, from art to fitness and entertainment.

Looking ahead, Brigitte will collaborate with the Psychological Health and Safety Committee to deliver the City’s Wellness Survey in 2025. The survey, last conducted in 2019, is a vital tool for assessing staff health and wellbeing needs, and helping to shape future benefits, programs, and policies that reflect these needs. She is also excited to organize winter wellness activities for employees to explore.

Before joining the City, Brigitte completed her Master's in Health Sciences at Lakehead University, which deepened her understanding of health as influenced by the complex intersections of community, institutions, and individuals.

"My education and previous roles in supporting mindfulness and self-care for professionals have shaped my human-centric approach, which seeks to bridge the gap between the academic aspects of health and wellness by finding creative solutions that benefit people in tangible ways.”

As the Wellness Coordinator, Brigitte describes her role as a blend of individual and teamwork, focusing on planning and promoting health and wellness programs for City staff as part of the Well at Work program. “As part of the Safety and Wellness team, I am inspired by the broader opportunities ahead to connect all employees as one team supporting our city.”

After three decades in public service, Karen Lewis is conflicted.

She’s ready to retire – and reluctant to leave.

“I’m leaving the best job I ever had,” says Karen. “Working for the City of Thunder Bay has given me an incredibly diverse career with many jobs and opportunities – all with the same employer.”

She started with the City of Thunder Bay in 1994 as Corporate Relations Analyst and went on to create the City’s corporate communications function, which she led for 25 years. After about 10 of those years, she added strategy to her portfolio, eventually becoming Director of Corporate Strategic Services. More recently, she oversaw streamlining development approvals as the General Manager of Development & Emergency Services and then the success of programs and services as General Manager of Corporate Services. 

Karen’s commitment to the City and its people is clear; she’s served on numerous committees such as Clean, Green and Beautiful, two anniversary committees—the 25th and 50th, and was the administrative lead on the creation of the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC). Karen was also the interim CEO at CEDC for five months in 2013 and has served on the Board as the City Manager’s representative for more than four years. Her leadership has been central to the success of several City-wide projects over the years.

Karen credits her energy and drive to her entrepreneurial family who built a medium-sized stainless steel fabricating company from the ground up in Toronto. She believes her upbringing and experiences in the private and not-for-profit sectors led her to become what is known as an intrapreneur, someone who brings the entrepreneurial spirit and mindset to start ups within an organization.

Karen highlights working with Council and the Senior Leadership Team on five successive strategic plans as transformative to her career.

“I aim to build things that last,” says Karen, citing her relationships and the work she’s done around initiatives as diverse as the City’s response to the Seven Youth Inquest, the creation of the CEDC, the introduction of the Municipal Accommodation Tax, and the City’s ubiquitous Superior by Nature logo as examples of meaningful work that she always takes the long view on.

She emphasizes the importance of working well together and having the tools, resources, and supports in place for employees to effectively do their jobs. “As one of the City’s General Managers, that’s part of my job, to support continuous improvement that ultimately helps to better serve the public.”

She knows she will miss the people who keep the City going – and that she’ll stay involved in the community she loves.

“It’s been an honour to work with such amazing people over the years that I’ve come to know and love and will remember fondly,” says Karen. “Working at the City with people who are committed to making a difference, and having some fun along the way, has been very rewarding.”

Thank you, Karen, for your steadfast commitment and meaningful contributions at the City of Thunder Bay. Best wishes in retirement!

Aneesh James started at the City last fall as a Network Infrastructure Administrator in the Corporate Information Technology (CIT) department. He is passionate about his job, saying it aligns with the interests he’s had since he was a child in India and his uncle introduced him to computers.

Aneesh went on to choose engineering in school, where he enjoyed the programming side of things, but found he was more drawn to exploring the intricacies of hardware networking and how information is processed.

“I find the work exciting; the fact that everyone needs to connect, and I get to help make that happen and ensure that people and departments are safely and securely accessing and sharing information,” says Aneesh.

Whether it’s software, security or troubleshooting, there’s a lot to ensuring network systems continue to run smoothly. Aneesh appreciates the opportunity to gain experience at every stage.

“I didn’t get the same opportunities when I worked in similar roles in the bigger cities. Here, there's a wider scope of projects that I get to be a part of from start to finish. I’m learning a lot and look forward to continuing to help my team succeed.”

While network speed is a good thing at work, Aneesh prefers a more relaxed pace when it comes to where he lives. “I appreciate the slower pace of Thunder Bay and the work-life balance provided at the City, it's a great place to be.”

Every year, the City of Thunder Bay advertises and fills a range of summer student positions that run through August. Through this initiative, Allison Farrish is in her second year as the City’s Student Solid Waste & Recycling Analyst.

Allison is enrolled in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Business Administration programs at Lakehead University. “I was immediately intrigued by this student job posting, as I’m interested in environmental topics,” said Allison. “Over the past two summers, I have learned a lot about the importance of waste management and waste diversion, which has shaped my current interests.”

“My job with Solid Waste & Recycling primarily consists of working on projects to divert waste from the landfill. I work with the Waste Diversion Coordinator to implement programs to increase public recycling, and help keep reusable items out of the landfill. Some of these projects are short-term, like creating a pen recycling program, and others are long term – for example, researching the different ways of dealing with mattresses.”

Allison’s biggest project this season was the recent launch of the new Community Clean-Up Trailer. “The premise is a transportable trailer that can be booked for free for public use to help facilitate litter clean-ups,” said Allison.

Allison has also been essential to the development and recent launch of the City’s new children’s bicycle reuse program, called Second Spin. She has been very busy connecting used bikes in good condition with happy parents and kids.

Looking to the future, Allison is in her final year in student employment with the City. “Learning about waste and recycling in the environmental sector has given me a clearer direction. I have had great mentors here, and I’ve gained new skills that are transferable for my future career.”

“I love being able to contribute to my hometown, and I hope to continue being a part of waste management in Thunder Bay.”

A few months ago, Paula Cunningham saw the posting for her current position, Housing Accelerator Coordinator – Affordable Housing Lead, and felt drawn to apply because it aligned with her values and interests in housing and the building process. She had previously been working closely with the municipal sector in both Sudbury and Thunder Bay and felt she could help others navigate the complexities of obtaining the necessary permits and regulations.

“As a resident looking to add another dwelling to my property, I learned a lot about the requirements and how the process works,” says Paula. “I found it all interesting and jumped at the opportunity to guide others towards building affordable housing.”

With the new Housing Accelerator funding, there are currently incentives available for members of the public looking to build new units in the Strategic Core Areas—North Core, South Core and Westfort. A Housing CIP is in the works for properties outside of these core areas and will be coming soon.

“I love talking to members of the public about the projects they’re considering and how they can take advantage of the funding grants available. Primarily, my role involves assisting non-profits, but I enjoy finding out about innovative, creative building solutions that homeowners are implementing to help tackle the housing crisis.”

The City of Thunder Bay has since been awarded up to $20.7 million from the Government of Canada through the Housing Accelerator Fund to fast-track the development of over 600 new housing units over the next three years, to reach a total of 1,691 new permitted homes by February 2027.

“So many exciting things are happening in housing in Thunder Bay. I’m thrilled to be a part of it, from helping non-profits through our Affordable Rental Housing Funding Program and our Housing Community Improvement Plan coming soon. Let’s build Thunder Bay!”

To learn more about the Housing Accelerator Action Plan initiatives and Program Goals, visit buildthunderbay.ca

As a self-described introvert who had no sights on becoming a City Manager, Norm Gale retires this June as the longest standing City Manager in Thunder Bay’s history. He took the reins eight years ago in January 2016 after being nudged to apply by people who saw in him the potential to lead the City.

“Once I began to seriously consider it, I found the position appealed to me in many ways—so I applied—and the outcome changed my life forever,” says Norm.

Having held previous leadership positions in public service and taking a personal interest in leadership, strategy, business and politics, Norm called upon his experience and interests to lead with a style that brought out the strengths of his teams.

“It’s about collaboration. I’m interested in everyone’s viewpoint, and I will change my mind when presented with new information,” says Norm. “I count on my team day in and day out. Their professionalism even when we have differing views is really something I’ve come to value and respect.”

Norm brought to the role an organized and efficient style that saw meetings start on time and to the minute. This, along with his commanding presence, proved effective in many ways but notably during emergencies where he led his teams during First Nations evacuations, several near-strikes and an unprecedented global pandemic. There were a lot of trying situations on Norm’s watch and yet he made it look easy.

“It’s important to be decisive and the best way to do that is to be informed,” he says. “In an evermore unstable world, it’s imperative to have a baseline on what’s happening with the economy, business, and geopolitical affairs because all of these things have implications on a municipality.”

Norm reads voraciously. Every day he starts with the local news, followed by the major dailies in Toronto and onto international affairs. He reads several books at a time— currently all non-fiction except one he’s reading now that’s been on his list for years: Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer.

Prior to the pandemic, Norm read extensively about pandemics and the disruptions they have on society, the economy, supply chains and the labour market, so when one happened, he was able to call upon that knowledge. In fact, he keeps a library at work (and at home) that he references often for a myriad of topics.

In talking one-on-one with Norm, he’s surprisingly more reserved, with a quieter voice and thoughtful insights—and a rich sense of humour. He attributes his more subdued nature to being an introvert, which is often met with disbelief.

He points to a book in his office library, Quiet, it’s called, by Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. The book discusses the power and potential of the quiet ones who largely avoid the spotlight but have much to offer. (It’s worth noting that there’s a difference between being shy and being an introvert. Norm isn’t shy.)

“I make a point to ask the quiet ones in the room what their thoughts are on the issues at hand,” says Norm. “I love working with a diversity of people overall who help get the job done and who enjoy doing it.”

Norm feels lucky to have worked with such great people over his 33 years with the City, and the feeling is mutual. On behalf of everyone at the City, and on City Council, thank you, Norm, for your dedicated service.

Karen Kerk joined the City in 2023 to lead innovative collaborations between post-secondary students and the City as the Coordinator of a three-year pilot program known as CityStudio.

“CityStudio explores ways for the City to leverage student and faculty resources on a variety of innovative, community-driven projects in areas such as healthcare, marketing and even GIS mapping,” explains Karen.

She says her job has been likened to a matchmaker of sorts where she looks to match the needs of City projects with post-secondary capabilities.

“I network with a lot of people to sort of shop around ideas and find a fit for a project, which at times can be challenging, especially when it comes to ensuring projects and plans align with academic calendars.”

One thing Karen would like to do more of is connect with City staff on ways that CityStudio can support some of the projects that employees are working on.

“I welcome employee input and ideas and plan to meet with more City staff in the weeks ahead to provide brief training sessions that explain the benefits of CityStudio and how it can be applied towards advancing strategic and operational plans, while also supporting real-world experience for students and employment opportunities throughout the community.” 

After a successful year that saw more than 100 students from Lakehead University, Confederation College and NOSM University participate in 24 different project collaborations, Karen looks forward to continuing to make community connections that make a difference.

“The most rewarding part of my job is sharing in the enthusiasm that new ideas can generate and exploring the potential to improve Thunder Bay for the betterment of all.”

To learn more, visit www.thunderbay.ca/CityStudio or contact Karen at 807-631-4997, karen.kerk@thunderbay.ca  

Jeff Coull began working at the City in 2006 as a student in Parks. From there, he went on to the Water Pollution Control Plant as an Operator, where he remained until finding his way back to Parks as a Supervisor of Marina Park Operations in 2022.

Water continues to be an ever-present theme for Jeff as he recently decided to enter the popular fundraiser, Polar Bear Plunge, to help kids in our community access sports and recreational activities through PRO Kids.

“I look at the lake everyday and I’ve contemplated participating in the Polar Bear Plunge before, so this year I decided it’s time,” said Jeff, who has since recruited coworkers, Jason Corbett, Supervisor - Parks Operations North, and Brock Bodnar, Field Supervisor – Operations, to join him. 

Calling themselves New Kids in the Park, the team of newbies to the Polar Bear Plunge aren’t doing anything special to prepare for the ice-cold dip into Lake Superior on April 6. “Jason is in Cuba right now, so I wouldn’t call that preparing,” laughs Jeff. “Other than that, I’m just hoping it’s not -40 out!”

The event will be one more way that Jeff contributes to the community in addition to his job where he balances the cruise ship terminal, boater services and overseeing maintenance and operations of Marina Park.

“Really, what’s not to love about the Marina, it’s the most beautiful place in the city with so much happening,” said Jeff. “One moment we’re servicing the ice rink, and next, looking to accommodate 250 boats that want in the water; it’s very fast paced.”  

Jeff notes a unique factor about his work at the Marina is that he works with all the various municipal departments at some point. “We work with Arenas, Facilities, Roads, Sewer and Water, Recreation & Culture, Fire, Police and more. Teamwork is key at the Marina and keeps things interesting for sure.”

Samantha Stovel began working at the City as a Volunteer Program Coordinator with Recreation and Culture in April 2021

“The City is a fun place to work with a lot of great opportunities to collaborate with amazing people and learn and grow along the way,” says Samantha.

She and her colleague Tessa Hettrick, Program Volunteer Coordinator, are collaborating as Co-Chairs of the volunteer committee for the Ontario Winter Games happening Feb. 16 –26.

“Initially, we had a goal of recruiting 800 volunteers—and we were confident we could reach that, but then we got to a place where we had to close applications early because we had 1000 volunteers sign-up—a good problem to have,” laughs Samantha. “I think it speaks to the excitement of residents—that our city is hosting such a huge sporting event; people want to be a part of this unique opportunity in our community.”

Managing communication with so many volunteers requires a separate email address that sees an average of 50 emails a day from volunteers asking questions and offering ways to help. Samantha and Tessa find themselves juggling competing priorities between the Games and their regular day-to-day duties.

“February is a very busy month in general for our section with Winter FunDays and SnowDay. Our team is always planning and preparing for the next event, and we couldn’t do it without the amazing volunteers of Thunder Bay!” adds Samantha. 

After spending most of his career in the public sector as a finance manager, Keri Greaves felt it was time for a new challenge, so he applied and was hired as the new City Treasurer in September 2023.

His office is responsible for handling financial affairs of the municipality, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, maintaining accurate records and accounts, and providing information as required or requested by City Council.

Right away Keri recognized the strengths of his team saying they are truly experts in their field as he observed their ability to juggle competing priorities with pride.

“My team and I oversee an effective system of internal controls and essentially ensure corporate assets are protected,” says Keri.

It’s that level of cross-functional collaboration within his team and the City overall that Keri appreciates. 

“We’re here to provide expertise and advice, whether that be financial services, planning, or supply management, to help other areas of the Corporation to be successful.”

Cory Auger, Coordinator of Park Services, began at the City in the Parks Division in 1998 after obtaining his diploma in Recreational Leadership at Confederation

He sees his job duties as comparable to those he follows as a football coach.

“With 32 years coaching football, I’ve learned a lot of skills that help me on the job,” explains Cory, “Being prompt and organized at work is equal to creating a practice plan or scheming offensive plays on the football field.”

Whether it’s the design and installation of a new playground at Trowbridge Falls Park or the construction of Thunder Bay’s first batting cage at the Chapples Cricket Field, Cory knows the importance of communicating with community groups including sports organizations, park volunteers and contractors.

“There’s a lot of moving parts. From coordinating schedules to overseeing maintenance duties and capital projects, the importance of teamwork is key to a project’s success.”

Upon each project’s completion, Cory feels a sense of accomplishment. “I am proud to be a part of a team that works hard to provide citizens and community groups with fun and safe park amenities.”

Shane Rinne knew he wanted to pursue a career working with water since his postsecondary years. After gaining experience checking bridges and culverts in his previous employment, he applied to the City as a seasonal employee for Water and Sewer North. Here, his strengths in the field advanced, and he became a full-time member of the team in January 2023.

“Every day is different; a new day presents new challenges that require different solutions—it keeps the job interesting,” says Shane.

He credits his diploma and degree in forestry for providing him with a solid starting point to support his career. “The work is so specialized with things changing all the time that there’s a lot to learn both in theory and in practice.”

After the City’s water leaves Bare Point Water Treatment Plant, Shane and his coworkers are responsible for what happens to it on its way to users. If there’s a watermain break or a service leak, they’ll be the ones to fix it. They perform regular water quality checks that includes flushing hydrants and ensuring the water remains safe for residents.

Shane credits his team for sharing their collective knowledge of policies and procedures from their experience on the job. “They’ve been integral to my understanding of how Thunder Bay’s specific water system works and how to keep our City’s water safe and flowing, which is so rewarding.”

Fletcher Anderson has worked for the City the last two summers as a Student Labourer, beginning in May 2022. In Fletcher Anderson - City of Thunder Bay earlier years he gainedexperience working for a residential grass-cutting business where he learned how to drive with a trailer, use grass-cutting equipment and weed whackers, and lay sod. “It’s been handy that I already had some experience in these areas,” said Fletcher.

In his daily work, Fletcher and the crew he works with is given a weekly list of City parks and tasks that need to be completed. The crew manages their time throughout the week to complete the tasks. “The work varies,” said Fletcher. “We’re not always mowing grass. Sometimes we’ll be laying sod, sometimes raking ball diamonds, or even collecting litter and taking it to the landfill site.”

One aspect of the job that Fletcher enjoys is its hours: “It’s regular work with regular hours, 8 to 4:30 every weekday. And it’s outdoors – no sitting at a desk.” Summer parks workers do their jobs in crews of two or three.

Fletcher appreciates that his work makes a difference for City residents and visitors. “You’re doing a City service job, and you want to do the best job possible.”

“When we visit parks, for instance, we might not only be mowing grass, but also checking playground equipment to make sure it’s in good repair and safe,” said Fletcher.

“The work is definitely team oriented, and the people I work with are awesome.”

Karen Bonazzo began her career with the City in May 2015 as a summer student, in the Human Resources & Corporate Safety (HRCS) Division. After she finished school, she was hired as a Human Resources Assistant and then as the Staffing & Development Consultant. For her final role in HRCS, she stepped in to cover a parental leave as the City’s Health & Wellness Coordinator.
The most recent move for Karen was into the City’s Community Services Department, where she is celebrating her first anniversary as Special Events Developer in the Recreation & Culture Division. In this position, Karen is responsible for 13 large-scale City events through the year.

“I think I was born an event planner,” said Karen. “While working in Human Resources I planned the yearly 25-year Service and Retirees Banquet as well as many employee appreciation events. I’ve also been known to plan weddings in my spare time!”

“Now I am in my element at work. Who else gets to plan events like SnowDay on the Waterfront, Quest: Tech & Gaming, and Kite Festival? Right now in Rec & Culture I’ve just finished Canada Day on the Waterfront, and the next events are Teddy Bears Picnic on July 11, and the Live on the Waterfront series that starts July 19. There is always something exciting happening!”

Spring and summer is the busiest time for Karen, since many events are scheduled close together to take advantage of the good weather. Organizing a successful event usually involves collaboration with many individuals and groups. “All of my events are quite large and require support from many different areas within the City as well as food vendors, community groups and other agencies,” said Karen.

“I am very lucky to be supported by amazing coworkers throughout the City to make these events happen. I am also thankful for my team, who comes together to help support me during the events. Our Volunteer Coordinator always ensures we are supported by trained volunteers. Our Cultural Development and Public Art Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator connect with a range of community organizations to help promote arts opportunities connected with our events. Similarly, our Community Program Developer helps organize the community groups that apply to participate. Our team supervisor plays a huge part in our stage performances, especially with Live on the Waterfront, and our Assistant Coordinator of Festivals and Events was instrumental in helping to coordinate Kite Festival with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds this spring.”

Asked if there is a calmer time of year for her, Karen said, “Normally the fall is my ‘quiet season,’ when I start to prepare everything for the next year. However, this year I’m chairing the Special Events Committee for the 2024 Ontario Winter Games, to take place in Thunder Bay next February - so my quiet season won’t be very quiet.”

“I’ve learned a lot this past year, especially with bringing back our full event season after the pandemic. It is a privilege to offer free events to city residents and visitors. In my job, every day brings something different, something new to learn and new people to meet. I am very thankful for all of the support I receive from the various divisions throughout the City. I couldn’t do this work without them! I am excited about the future of City events, and am always looking for ways to improve them. For all these reasons, I really feel I have the best job!”

Sustainability is always a passion for Amy Coomes. “It’s great to meet and collaborate with so many amazing colleagues across the entire City organization and in other municipalities,” said Amy. “And, I love that I am working towards a strategy that will help to make Thunder Bay more sustainable.”

Thunder Bay, along with all cities in Ontario, is required to make a long-term, comprehensive plan to manage, renew and finance its assets including roads, sewers, water systems, parks equipment, vehicles, buildings, wetlands, trees and many more categories. “Not all assets are managed the same way,” said Amy. “There is a lot of learning to understand the condition of assets, their expected life, risk of failure, rehabilitation options and costs, and how the data about the assets is stored. The lifecycle of each asset needs to be managed, sustainably.”

In 2022, Amy began a new role for the City’s Infrastructure & Operations Dept. as the Project Manager responsible for the City-wide Asset Management Program. She began her career with the City in January 2018, when she was hired as the Climate Adaptation Coordinator – and later that year became the City’s Sustainability Coordinator. “My earlier work with City of Calgary Parks as their Environmental Program Coordinator helped prepare me for both of these former roles,” said Amy.

“So far in my career I’ve done a wide range of program and project management, and have gained experience working with the public and multiple stakeholder groups, and with other municipalities. Coming from a sustainability background has also been helpful with my current work in asset management. The best asset management practices are those that include social, environmental, and economic considerations.”

“As Project Manager, I am responsible for the development and continual improvement of the City’s asset management program to make sure we are in compliance with Ontario Reg. 588/17. I bring data about all City assets together and prepare reports for staff and Council. I also collaborate with City departments to ensure all asset-specific information, such as technical and engineering data, is reflected in the plan, in plain language.”

In this challenging position, Amy has help from her colleagues both within and outside the City. “I work with teams of City colleagues, and also with the Asset Management Steering Committee, to gather information. I also have amazing co-workers who help review asset registers, condition reports, graphs, maps and surveys. This helps me compile the most accurate data for reports, and for public engagement. I also connect with asset management staff from other municipalities - we share best practices and experiences.”

Jillian Fazio began her work for the City of Thunder Bay in 2017, and is a Planner II in the Development Services Department. Land use planners protect the public interest over the long-term by guiding land use and development within the community.

“As a municipal planner I evaluate private development applications like zoning changes, site plan approvals, subdivisions, and severances. I prepare reports, present planning recommendations to City Council and the Committee of Adjustment, represent the City’s Planning Division at committees and public consultation events, and participate in policy development and process improvement for my Division,” said Jillian.

After graduating from the Environmental Design program at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, she took a job as a retail manager in Thunder Bay while she looked for a local job in land use planning.

“My education and work within my field gave me knowledge and technical skills that I needed, but working in retail gave me a crash course in customer service, managing issues, and having difficult conversations. These are skills I use all the time as a public servant.”

“Sometimes there are conflicting interests and perspectives among developers and nearby property owners. Finding a balance can be tough, but that’s an important part of the job,” she noted.

While much of Jillian’s work is independent, she is part of a team in Development Services who support each other’s tasks and initiatives, and provide input. “In planning there is not one singular correct answer to every question or one solution to every problem,” Jillian said. “We consider a wide range of perspectives and options to formulate a professional opinion. So, we rely on one another to present opposing ideas and talk things through.”

The City’s Development Services Dept. recently launched a new Building & Planning Portal that streamlines Building Permits and Planning Applications. Jillian played a key role in the Portal’s development. “I was the ‘subject matter expert’ who collaborated with the City’s Corporate Information Technology Department and consultants to digitize our existing application process.”

“Our previous process was a mixture of digital and analog tasks, so there was some duplication of effort for staff, and extra steps for applicants. The new online Portal provides an end-to-end digital process. Applying, evaluating, processing, and record-keeping are now digitized, which should improve and simplify the application process for both customers and staff.”

Asked what she likes best about her job, Jillian gave a shout out to the members of her team in Development Services. “My kind and hard-working teammates help keep my passion for city planning going.”

Ally Drombolis started her career in 2016 as an intern student with PRO Kids, a City program that helps children and youth access sports programs when their families can’t afford the fees.

“I knew I wanted to get into the not-for-profit realm, and community work,” said Ally. “When the internship came up, it looked like a perfect fit.” Ally had just completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Lakehead University, with a Marketing major.

The internship turned into ongoing contract work PRO Kids, and two years ago Ally was hired as the Customer Services & Marketing Coordinator for the City’s Community Services Dept.

“Half of my role is still supporting PRO Kids fundraising and marketing,” said Ally. “I work with PRO Kids Coordinator Laura Daniele, and I’ve absorbed a wealth of knowledge over the years, learning about the City as an organization, and City fundraising events like the Mayor’s Mulligan. My PRO Kids experience connected me with many City departments and divisions, and introduced me to fundraising.”

The other half of Ally’s current position supports the City’s Sport & Community Development team under supervisor Paul Burke. “Arranging sponsorships is a large part of my position, and Paul has been a mentor concerning sponsorships and marketing initiatives,” said Ally, who is also now serving as Chair of the Sponsorship Committee for the Ontario Winter Games, to take place in Thunder Bay in February 2024.

Ally reports that her job is very dynamic, and every day is different. “Part of my job is supervising the Fort William Gardens box office, which gives me contact with lots of exciting community sports events. I also work with promoters of shows there. I’m always meeting new people.” Ally also supports her team with grant applications, and does advertising for the satellite arenas.

Asked about challenges in her job, Ally described the moving parts in the work she does. “I support many different teams and operations, so it can be a challenge to stay on top of things. I might go straight from a meeting about a summer golf tournament to one about the Winter Games. It keeps me on my toes!”

“With the Ontario Winter Games, it’s my first time working on such a large-scale sports tournament, and it’s truly inspiring to see organizations and businesses of every shape and size be so onboard with a community initiative.”

Ally reports that she likes the people she works with. What could be better? “I am surrounded by people who motivate me to be at my best.”

“It’s nice to look forward to going into work. You should enjoy what you do!”

Pictured is Ally Drombolis with colleagues Laura Daniele, Kelly Robertson and Paul Burke

Courtney Gallant has worked her entire career in municipal government. She started “fresh out of university” in the Township of Gillies, and then moved on to the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge before becoming the City of Thunder Bay’s Executive Assistant (EA) to the Mayor in 2019.

“I’ve been a lifer in municipal government,” Courtney said with humour. “Each placement has allowed me to serve the public, though when I started with my current job as the Mayor’s EA, my position became a more supportive role. With this type of administrative support, the Mayor is able to focus on the issues and concerns that require attention.” 

The job of Executive Assistant to the Mayor is distinctive because it involves both the administrative and political facets of local government. “It’s fascinating to watch the two parts work together to arrive at decisions for the City. Because the business of the Mayor’s office has a political context, I feel it’s important that I’m sensitive to the differing perspectives and attentive to their implications, whether we are dealing with routine or challenging matters,” said Courtney.  

Courtney’s days on the job involve providing administrative support to the Mayor by maintaining schedules and communications. Aside from keeping a calendar, much of her work involves fielding calls from the public. Courtney connects with many different City departments and other groups.

“Every day I meet new and fascinating people. I hear about their experiences in the City and with the City, and help to make important connections for them. Making these connections with others is one of the things I love most about this job.”

 “I work with some pretty amazing people in both the Mayor’s office and in the City Manager’s office, all very supportive and compassionate, celebrating each other’s successes and happy to help when needed.”

PRO Kids Coordinator Laura Daniele started her career with the City early, working through her youth at Chippewa Park, Summer Camps and playgrounds. “Working for the City is ingrained in my blood!” Laura said with a smile as we began our interview.

As a young adult Laura graduated from the Recreation program at Confederation College, and when her children became school-age, she once again investigated working in children’s programming for the City. Her aim was to coordinate part-time work hours with her children’s school schedule. “I’ve always loved kids,” said Laura. “Working with kids is who I am as a person.”

And so, 25 years ago, Laura spearheaded the City’s brand new program: PRO Kids, which helps low-income families access recreation activities for their children.

“I’ve always liked starting things from scratch. I like ‘lighting fires’. And, I like things that are new, that change, are versatile, and move from one thing to another. Everything this position offered – and has offered and required of me for 25 years – has been right up my alley,” Laura said.

Laura greatly values networking and enjoys collaborating with members of the PRO Kids Board and Fundraising Committee. “PRO Kids has 200+ partner agencies and I think we’ve developed trust in each other. Working alongside Ally Drombolis since 2016 has helped bring PRO Kids to a whole new level.”

Laura describes her role as “largely leisure counselling for families, in that parents don’t always know what to apply for - what will fit in terms of the type of activity for their child, the location, etc. It’s great to be helping parents work through things.”

“When you can assist a parent with making good things happen for their child, it takes pressure off of them. And for me, I've grown and learned so much just by helping people on the phone - when to speak, when to listen, how best to help.”

The 25th Anniversary of PRO Kids was announced on Jan. 31, 2023. Reflecting on this milestone, Laura noted, “I have three sons, and PRO Kids is my fourth child. I really feel that when you spend seven hours a day at a job, it becomes a part of you. I want to stress that PRO Kids is about community coming together. For me, sharing in all those connections is a privilege. It's been an honour.”

~ Photo: PRO Kids Partner Faye Stockwell, PRO Kids Board Member Melanie Tibishkogijig, PRO Kids Coordinator Laura Daniele 

John Fisher is an Equipment Operator III on the Roads South team for the City of Thunder Bay. Before working for  Roads, he worked from 2006-2013 in Solid Waste & Recycling. Over the years John developed his skills as a heavy equipment operator on the job, and today can run an array of machines. “Now I’m able to pretty well run everything we have, from loaders, graders and backhoes, to street sweepers and dump trucks,” said John.

John’s duties vary, depending on the season, or even the day. In the winter, his job is usually focused on snow removal. If it has recently snowed, John is out in a loader-plow clearing roads overnight while many of us are in our cozy beds. During the days, he works with other roads clearing crews to move snow and make it easier for drivers and pedestrians to get around.

“In the winter, we are steadily dealing with snow – either the sanders are out or we are using equipment to move snow and make more room for future weather,” explained John. “In the summer I’m usually grading gravel roads in the rural part of Thunder Bay. But I could also be doing a culvert job with a backhoe or driving a dump truck hauling gravel or debris, or street sweeping with the big sweepers.”

When asked about the challenges he and his coworkers face that might surprise people, John explained that they sometimes deal with drivers who cut them off or don’t make room for the machines. “It gets frustrating sometimes, because we are just trying to do our jobs.” Most northerners are familiar with the feeling of dread that comes with seeing a plow about to spread a new windrow across the end of their driveway. “Sometimes people will come right out beside the machine and stop us. On the other hand some people bring out gifts, a box of chocolates, a Tim’s card or a basket of buns or cookies they just made because they are so grateful for what we are doing.”

Equipment operators such as John usually work in teams. “When the graders go out to plow the main routes, they’re teamed up, usually two per run, but I’m usually separate in the loader-plow. When we do snow removal in back lanes, I’m in a loader, other operators are in trucks, and another one watches traffic.”

With over 16 years with the City, John is now a veteran employee and often finds himself looked to by newer staff to answer questions and provide experience, knowledge and advice. “It’s been really impactful for me, that as I get older, other operators are coming to me and I can share the experience I have.” 

Monika Tomar has a very dynamic job – but her days begin with a relatively simple routine. “My typical work day startsCity of Thunder Bay - Monika Tomar with checking the corporate training registration database, posting and organizing new learning sessions, and supporting e-learning logistics and requirements.

Monika, the City’s new Learning & Development Consultant, started work in this position in July of this year. She had previously been employed by the City as part of the Talent Acquisition team, and she has also had interesting jobs in many countries and workplace settings including manufacturing, banking and consulting. Much of her work over the past 10 years has focussed on human resources, including analytics, workforce management, and overseeing employee learning & development programs.

“My keen ability to connect with others, building strong and lasting relationships, has been paramount to my success throughout my career,” said Monika. “My experiences and education all together have prepared me for what I am doing today.”

There is a lot more to being a Learning and Development Consultant than developing training programs and making sure employees and supervisors are aware of training opportunities. “My strong focus is to streamline the various learning processes and identify the opportunity for learning system enhancement,” said Monika.

“Apart from simply promoting corporate training opportunities, my main responsibilities include providing day-to day consultation to all levels of City staff, performing regular training audits, interacting closely with the leadership team to create training strategies for their work areas, and supporting departments to ensure all learning activities are delivered to the required standard. I also coordinate the recognition program for our annual retirees, and the long-service employees’ virtual banquet.”

“The best part of my job,” said Monika, “is working with diverse groups of employees with different personalities and talents. I am a strong believer in life-long learning. I strive to do what it takes to make things happen, to acknowledge people and help them grow. I am truly enjoying working in a team where everyone is super-supportive and takes an extra step to make you feel important.”

And for fun? “Outside of my work I love to travel and explore new places.”

Dave Flank started his career with the City in 2016, as the Backflow Prevention Officer. Employees in this position have  the very important duty of inspecting the installation of backflow prevention devices to ensure that water delivered to the customer cannot flow back into the City’s drinking water system, potentially carrying contaminants.

“Many property owners don’t realize that backflow can happen,” said Dave. “In certain circumstances, water can flow backwards through an open valve or improperly installed fixture or appliance from a private water system – say, in a multi-residential or commercial building - into the City’s drinking water distribution system. As the Backflow Prevention Officer, I inspected commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-residential plumbing installations to ensure appropriate backflow prevention devices had been installed and backflow contamination could not occur.”

In his current position as a Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector, Dave inspects a greater range of plumbing system components. “It’s interesting to be an Inspector, as I spent the earlier years of my plumbing career installing plumbing systems - and now instead of building them, I inspect them. I’m one of three Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors with the City. We inspect all plumbing components from the drainage and venting, to water piping, heating and fire suppression systems. We inspect plumbing in new builds and renovations, in both residential and commercial buildings. In everything but new builds, dated infrastructure can be an issue, and the plumbing has to be brought up to Code.”

By Code, Dave means Ontario’s Building Code regulations, which are frequently updated by the Province.

“All decisions are based on the Building Code,” said Dave. “One of the challenges of my job is sometimes having to convey the bad news to a homeowner or builder that changes must be made to an installation so that it will fulfill the requirements of the Code. But most people understand – especially if I explain the applicable part of the Code, and why it is important for a functional and safe plumbing system.”

“One fulfilling part of my job, actually, is seeing how people appreciate information that explains my decisions as an Inspector. Of course I understand that these necessary decisions can be associated with unexpected work and expenses, but achieving the minimum requirements of the Ontario Building Code is crucial in helping a project go forward with a safe and proper functioning plumbing and mechanical system.

Dave added, “Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors get an inside view of projects from homes to hotels, from the start of construction to the finish. That really adds to the interest of the job.”

In his spare time, Dave indulges his love of music composition and performance. “I’ve been playing for 20 years, and I’ve found I also really like songwriting,” he said. “I play guitar and sing in a band, for the pure enjoyment of it. We play everything from campfire acoustic tunes to heavy rock and metal – even numbers from 80s ‘hair’ bands, if you remember those!”

So, if you hear music on the air – it just might be Dave. 

Krista Power began her career with the City of Thunder Bay as a teenager, as an employee with the Summer  Playgrounds Program. It was a positive first experience working for the City. “I spent eight summers working in our beautiful parks with the kids,” said Krista. “It was awesome!”

Following University, Krista spent ten years as Events Manager at Fort William Historical Park, and then returned to working at the City in 2010 in various capacities, becoming Deputy City Clerk in 2015 and City Clerk in 2019.

“The role of a City Clerk is one of the oldest roles in all government,” explained Krista. “A City’s Council cannot have a meeting without the attendance of the Clerk to properly record and disclose their information to the public.”

Krista explained that her job is to safeguard and protect the decisions of City Council, both by accurately recording them and by authorizing By-laws passed by Council. The City Clerk also advises Council on legislation, governance and procedure, and is the City’s lead on records and privacy. And, as many citizens know, the City Clerk’s Office authorizes the purchase of marriage and lottery licences.

What is a typical day for Krista? “There is little routine in the City Clerk’s Office, which employs 21 staff,” said Krista. “Priorities can change quickly, especially if a legislative compliance issue crops up.”

On the Mondays when a Council meeting is scheduled, the job of the City Clerk is especially busy. “I routinely work 12-16 hours on a ‘Council Monday’,” said Krista. “The record was one Monday in August 2020, when I began my work day at 8:30 am and ended it after that night’s Council meeting, at almost 3:30 am, with many items deferred.”

However, a City Clerk’s days are even more dynamic at election time. In the Municipal Elections Act, the City Clerk is designated as the Returning Officer for the Municipal Election, and as such is responsible for all aspects of the election, the nomination process, certification of candidates, coordinating voting and calculating results, and certifying the results - as well as post-election work such as certifying financial statements.

“The decisions of the Returning Officer are final as it relates to the Municipal Election,” said Krista. “City Council has no authority over the process or the roll-out of the election, as this is governed by the Act.”

Asked about her favourite part of the job, Krista replied in several parts. “I have the privilege of being a part of the history of our city every time I sit to clerk a meeting of City Council, she said. “I have the opportunity to engage with the public and provide access to their elected officials via deputations or committees, or to release records to the public via the Freedom of Information process.”

“Our team in the Office of the City Clerk (including our cohort at the Harry Kirk Archives Department) are amazing, talented, bright and hard-working colleagues who are dedicated to their work, and I am grateful to work with every single one of them. Watch for our hashtags: #ClerksRule and #ArchivesareAwesome.”

Shaun Naroski has a long history as an employee at the City’s swimming pools. Starting in the 1980s, Shaun worked at  Churchill Pool as an Instructor/Guard. That job led to his next position in full-time pool maintenance at Volunteer Pool, which he did until 1994.

Shaun’s employment changed course at that point as he went into a career in teaching – first as a Music teacher with the Lakehead Public School Board, and then on to a job with the Ministry of Education.

Now a retired educator, Shaun has his pick of part-time jobs – and he has chosen the City’s pools once again! He now works as a Relief Operator for the City’s Aquatic Operations.

“We are responsible for the operation of the Canada Games Complex, Volunteer Pool, Churchill Pool, Heath Pool, Widnall Pool and the Marina Park Splash Pad,” Shaun said. “We also have occasional tasks at Boulevard Lake Park and Chippewa Park. The primary responsibilities involve water chemistry, pool filtration, chemical feeders, monitoring mechanical systems, and record keeping.”

The focus for the City’s Aquatic Operations staff comes down to this: keeping facilities open for public use. “Sometimes our services are required at multiple pools at the same time, and that can be a challenge,” said Shaun.

Shaun and many other staff at the City’s pools are seasoned swimmers themselves. “The Canada Games Complex is my pool of choice,” said Shaun. “The water is ideal and the facility has new starting blocks – the same kind used at international competitions. Having weight and cardio rooms in the same facility is a luxury. I bring my grandkids here all the time and they love it!”

“I was a Thunderbolt back in 1972 and still compete fifty years later. I returned from the 2022 Canadian Masters Swimming Championships in Quebec City with two silver and three bronze medals. I should also mention that my four daughters had jobs as Instructor/Guards at the Canada Games Complex once upon a time.”

It is easy to see why Shaun enjoys his work in Aquatic Operations. And, he had this to add: “I enjoy seeing all the patrons using the various aquatic facilities, whether it be learning how to swim or just having fun in the water. And knowing that I am part of a larger team that makes those opportunities possible is very satisfying.”

Saumya Nair describes herself as an extravert – and it is working for her! 

 “I came to Canada from India, where I was a Dentist, in 2018,” said Saumya. “I completed the Health Professional course at Confederation College, and when the pandemic hit, I decided to stay in Thunder Bay.”

Getting established with housing and a job in Thunder Bay was challenging - especially finding suitable work. “I had been seeking a job in a health-care setting, but I found that many such offices were stressful work environments. However, when I got the job at the Complex, everything changed. My co-workers congratulated me, supervisors were kind and accommodating, and I thought, is this a dream?”

First employed by the City as a Screener and Fitness Attendant at the Canada Games Complex during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saumya found her work fun and fulfilling right from the start.

 “Identity crisis is the biggest source of depression, but I certainly don’t suffer from that at work. The people I work with recognize my importance and give me good feedback and support.”

Saumya had been told that as a Screener, she might have to deal with the frustration of clients entering the Canada Games Complex. “I never encountered a truly angry customer,” said Saumya.  “I started my job right after a new lockdown began, and people stopped and chatted, and even brought small treats for the staff at Christmas. It was so nice to see!”

Saumya also teaches Zumba and Bollywood fitness classes at the Complex – dance workouts that combine dynamic choreography with upbeat music from around the world. “I always absorb lots of positivity from the clients.”

 “I don’t remember a day that I’ve been grouchy or sad,” said Saumya. “In my job with the City, people welcome me, appreciate me, and want me there. I love my job!”

Having received CPR certification, Saumya now also works as a Facility Attendant at the Water Garden Pavilion. If you see her there, make sure to say hello!

Ian Spoljarich, Manager of Roads, began his career with the City in September 2018, as Supervisor of Waste Collection.  In 2021 he became Supervisor of Roads South (for the southern portion of Thunder Bay), and quickly moved on to become Manager of Roads.

Asked for a description of a typical day on the job, Ian replied that no day or week is typical! Each week brings new challenges, and Ian makes sure to connect with other supervisors regularly. Often there are meetings throughout the day, including talks with City Councillors on roads issues and speaking with residents about their concerns.

Ian also makes it a priority to observe conditions on the city’s roads first-hand. If there is a pause in the meetings, he gets out to check on pavement issues and street lighting. Often, the day’s prospective schedule can change with the weather – an oncoming storm will mean preparation for wet or snowy conditions.

Getting information about the condition of the city’s roads out to the public is also a priority for Ian. “We’ve been putting more detailed information out in media releases and on social media, especially when there is a weather event that affects the roads,” said Ian. “That way, people aren’t left with questions about whether they can get around the city.”  

“It was a very busy winter for the City’s Roads employees, and an even busier spring – but our staff took it in stride. They are dedicated, and take pride in their work. Just when we saw a break in the snow, in came the spring, with melting and flooding – and staff were out again to make the roadways safe for motorists.”

Asked about the weekly Wednesday storms we experienced in March-April, Ian said, “Our staff responded well for the amount of snow we had. But every Wednesday, there would be 30-40 cm of new snow, and in between we would get small snowfalls, so there was not a lot of time to work on equipment and prepare for the next storm – we were constantly out on the roads.”

“I and our Roads staff feel that we helped people get to work and school safely - but I am hoping this is the worst winter I will ever see, and that it gets better from here!”

When Ian isn’t watching the weather for the next storm, he takes time for fun and family. “Life is busy. We have a 5-year-old son and a 3-year-old son and a new lab puppy! I love to spend my free time with family, and if I can sneak away, I enjoy a round of golf.”

Dennis Brescacin began his career with the City in 1991, when he was hired as a Firefighter by Thunder Bay Fire  Rescue (TBFR).

“My first 17 years with TBFR was in our Suppression Division, and I qualified as a Captain prior to being promoted to Division Chief of Administration in 2008,” said Dennis. “I have been in that role ever since.”

Dennis’ duties are wide ranging. Aside from overseeing the maintenance and repair of TBFR’s eight fire stations and its training centre, he also procures Fire Rescue’s station and medical supplies, and personal protective equipment. He is also responsible for the portable radio equipment of both TBFR and Thunder Bay Police Service. “If a radio unit is lost or stolen,” Dennis said, “I can de-activate it instantly using a computer application.”

Dennis’s duties do not end there. Under the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, (EMCPA), he fills the mandated role of Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Thunder Bay. This role links with his work as the Chair of the City’s Emergency Management Program Committee, and as the coordinator of the Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG).

MECG is a group comprised of members from City of Thunder Bay administration, Fire Rescue, Police Service and Superior North EMS, with input from many community organizations such as Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU). The Group is integral to Thunder Bay’s response to community emergencies, including health and environmental crises, and has been continuously active over the past 25 months.

“During the pandemic, I have been responsible for coordinating MECG meetings. As the City’s contact with the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (POEC), I liaise with Emergency Management Ontario Field Officers and other Provincial Ministry Emergency Management Coordinators, and also participate in the Vulnerable Populations COVID-19 Planning Table and Isolation Shelter Command. I assisted with procurement of government funding for isolation shelters in Thunder Bay, and coordinated assistance from the NGO Alliance of Ontario, specifically Team Rubicon and Samaritan’s Purse, when ‘boots on the ground’ supports were needed,” said Dennis. “I and members of all groups pitched in wherever we could. When not at meetings, I assisted at the isolation hotels.”

We asked Dennis if he had seen any “silver linings” about the pandemic during his work. 

“What stands out for me is how we were able to coordinate quickly with the PEOC and Ministries during the Corrections and District Jail outbreaks. The quick action of all our partners helped to contain the spread of the virus in early 2021. Working with the TBDHU, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board, the shelters and City of Thunder Bay’s Manager of Community Strategies, Cynthia Olsen, was key to limiting the spread of the virus in the vulnerable population. It was - and still is - a pleasure to work with everyone.”

Connecting with neighbours near and far is also an important part of Dennis’s job. “I feel great satisfaction when the City steps up as a host community when others need assistance for emergency evacuations. In addition, I have had the privilege of connecting and working with First Nation leadership and building relationships and trust.”  

Dennis even devotes some of his leisure time to his vocation as firefighter. As President of the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association since 2013, he is currently working on a Health, Safety & Wellness program for firefighters in Thunder Bay.

Dennis sums up his work: “I have always enjoyed helping people. I learn something new every day, and really enjoy what I do.”

Tessa Hettrick, a self-described people person, began her work with the City in September of 2015 as Program Volunteer  Coordinator with the Older Adult Unit at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre. It’s a position she still holds and enjoys today.

“I’ve built a career here, working with the volunteers,” said Tessa. “The community of staff and volunteers at 55 Plus is like a small family, and runs like a well-oiled machine.” The volunteers at 55 Plus are seniors themselves. “55 Plus is one of the few places that’s ‘all seniors’, both volunteers and participants.”

As with many City jobs, Tessa’s work life and duties were altered fundamentally during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Services and programs offered to seniors at 55 Plus were cancelled, or (when possible) delivered online. During the closures, Tessa was redeployed twice: first to Jasper Place as a screener; and then back to 55 Plus to coordinate the income tax program and meals on wheels.

The changes from open to closed, back and forth, were hard on the 55 Plus Centre’s clients, volunteers and staff. “For many of the volunteers, their tasks at 55 Plus are a big part of their life,” said Tessa. “Closures at the Centre left them without their usual connections, isolated with nowhere to go. It was hard on their social, physical and mental well-being. With our gradual re-opening in fall of 2021, not all returned – and some had aged, from stress. It was also very difficult dealing with partial reopenings, where some but not all services could be offered, and some but not all people served.”

When asked if there has been any silver lining to the pandemic, Tessa was quick to point out 55 Plus’s income tax services, which were delivered in a new way during COVID-19. “Many seniors were worried about whether the income tax service would be offered during the pandemic,” said Tessa. “Our volunteers were able to shift to virtual and drop-off service, sometimes involving phone interviews. Many seniors made donations in appreciation of this, which benefitted the 55 Plus Centre directly.” In 2022, the income tax service is back to in-person, but drop-off and telephone options remain available.

“The pandemic has been hard on everybody,’ said Tessa. “However, witnessing how people have come together to rise above what has been happening – it’s been very inspiring. Volunteers and clients are passionate about the work we do at 55 Plus. We’re so glad people stuck it out with us!”

“Now that we’re coming out of it, there are a lot of good things in the future.”

When Crystal Wilson was hired 39 years ago as a School Crossing Guard, it wasn’t by the City of Thunder Bay.

“Back in those days, crossing guards were handled by Thunder Bay Police,” said Crystal. “I was originally hired by Constable McEwan.”

Crystal has spent most of her 39 years on duty guarding the safety of students crossing Redwood Avenue in front of St. Francis School. “I had a couple of other temporary stints at the beginning, at nearby schools,” she said. “I was at St. Vincent School, and at Agnew H. Johnson School for a while.” Agnew H. Johnson Public School closed permanently in 2020.

Asked about the challenges of being a School Crossing Guard during the pandemic, Crystal said the hardest part was simply not seeing the children, and missing celebrations like Hallowe’en, Christmas and – her favourite celebration – Valentine’s Day.

“The kids are the best part of the job. They are why I am here, to see them all every day. I’ve gotten to know whole families, and have seen many kids grow up. The parents are great, too, and have been understanding about pandemic difficulties.”

Crystal is very glad to be back on the job now that schools have reopened, although things are not entirely back to normal yet. “Now that we are back, there are still some restrictions – for instance, Crossing Guards can’t come into the school.”

She added, “No matter what, the safety of the children comes first.”

As an Associate Archivist with the City of Thunder Bay, Lauren Halsey’s workplace has usually been the Harry Kirk Archives & Records Centre on Vickers Street. However, that changed suddenly with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and the proposal that she be temporarily redeployed just a few days after she began work-from-home in March, 2020. Her destination was Jasper Place, a City-operated residence for older adults. Lauren was to work at Jasper Place for five months.

“I was a screener,” said Lauren, “but I took on other tasks as well – any little thing that would help take some of the pressure off the staff so they could focus on their work, and make life a bit easier for the tenants. It was early in the pandemic, and everyone was scrambling to make sense of the constantly changing information and best practices. It was a frustrating, confusing, and frightening time for many people. Despite that, it was extraordinary to witness the amount of work and dedication the support staff put in every day to take care of the tenants.”

“At Jasper Place I was doing a job that hadn’t existed before, in a setting in which I had virtually no experience. But every day I went home feeling like I had really done something useful, including just chatting with the tenants who would stop by the screening desk to say hello.”

Lauren is back to fulfilling her duties as Associate Archivist now, which comprise a multitude of tasks such as helping to manage the City’s records management program, advising on information privacy measures, training City staff in records management, processing Freedom of Information requests, tackling research questions, and preserving over 130 years of historical municipal records. In addition, Lauren promotes fascinating archival material to City staff and the public. Attention to detail is vital to her job.

“Researching archival records can be a bit of a treasure hunt sometimes,” said Lauren. Some requests are for very old materials, and there can be uncertainty at times over whether requested records even exist. Often, other interesting records are found along the way. During the closure of the Archives to the public due to the pandemic, Lauren has been called upon to perform a greater number of physical searches for materials, rather than assisting researchers who come to the site. “It’s a great feeling when I’m able to find exactly what someone is looking for.”

Lauren has also helped City staff understand and manage new challenges the pandemic has brought to records management and information privacy/security. For instance, when working from home, staff must take special care that both digital and physical records, and anything with personal or sensitive information, cannot be accessed by anyone else in the house. Virtual meetings have presented similar challenges, especially for staff with small children at home. “Archives staff are always happy to help with any privacy concerns or questions,” said Lauren.

Looking to the future, Lauren’s journey through the COVID-19 pandemic at work has influenced her plans in a positive way: “I’m hoping to spend some time volunteering at Jasper Place in future, when pandemic restrictions allow.”

Dr. Ian Morgan joined the City as Chief Chemist about six months before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Having lived and worked away from Thunder Bay for more than 10 years, Ian received a call for the interview for his current position on the same day he intended to finalize a house purchase in Alberta. “My wife and I ended up ‘passing’ on the house we had searched for 12 months to find - and well, it paid off!” said Ian.

Ian uses his comprehensive background in the sciences as he collaborates with the various sections of the City’s Environment Division including the Water Pollution Control Plant (wastewater) and the Water Treatment Plant (drinking water). He also works closely with other divisions within the City’s Infrastructure and Operations Department, and various City of Thunder Bay offices. Occasionally he attends Council meetings to report scientific information.

In addition, Ian regularly fields communications from residents comprising everything from drinking water queries to spill reports. “The best part of my job is that every day is different, with varying problems or issues to address,” says Ian. “One day I’ll be needed at the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility to assist with a leachate treatment pilot project, the next I’ll be responding to citizen inquiries, and on another I’ll be working with Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.”

The COVID-19 pandemic led to another way Ian could use his scientific background, when he was asked to work with the University of Windsor, Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on Ontario’s Wastewater Surveillance Initiative. “Through analysing wastewater, we have been able to monitor the concentration of COVID-19 in the raw sewage arriving at the Water Pollution Control Plant,” said Ian. He notes that the water is not infectious – it merely contains tiny components of the virus. “Throughout this project, we and other cities have seen correlated trends in the decrease and increase of COVID-19 cases compared with the same city’s concentration of the virus in the sampled raw wastewater. This is just one of the exciting projects I am part of, collaborating with various academic institutions, agencies and departments.”

When away from science and technology, Ian enjoys all things recreational - from snowboarding the tops of the Rocky Mountains to riding 1980s engine-powered surfboards that he repairs, and just about everything in between. He is also very proud to have become a father in June of 2021.

Alain Joseph joined the City during the pandemic in March 2021 as a Policy Analyst with the Indigenous Relations office. He describes his role as one of a specialized translator who reviews complex documents and amends them into easily understandable policies and proposals.

“Starting a new job in the midst of a pandemic has its challenges because I haven’t spent any time physically at City Hall where our office is based, and I have only met a few colleagues in person,” says Alain. “I try to focus on the positive, however, like how I can sing out loud to my favourite songs, which might not fly in the office.”

Alain works closely with nearly every department in the City, which is a unique aspect to the job that he enjoys. He cites work he’s done with Parks, Planning, various advisory committees and Events Planning, to name a few. And while much of what he does involves desk work, he often has opportunities to get out in the public. Most recently, he spent considerable time organizing a ceremonial tree planting for Truth and Reconciliation Day, along with sourcing cedar seedlings to give to residents to show their support for those impacted by residential schools.

Despite much of Alain’s work being virtual, he still manages to interact with many colleagues and feels accepted as part of the team. He appreciates the leadership across the board that help to support the plans and strategic vision of Indigenous Relations and the City overall.

“I enjoy working in an environment that has set goals and a clear vision on how to move the City forward,” says Alain. “And I like being a civil servant; it’s important to me to do meaningful work for my neighbours, friends and fellow citizens, especially in these difficult times.”  

Vicki Kuz is one of three Human Resources Assistants in the Human Resources and Corporate Safety Division. She started working for the City in 1994 and after six years of working in

various unionized positions, accepted a position with the Recruitment & Support Services section in Human Resources and has remained there for the past twenty-one years.

Vicki’s main responsibilities are the recruitment tasks for Infrastructure & Operations, Community Services, the City Manager’s Office, and Thunder Bay Fire Rescue. She prepares job postings and closings, extends unionized job offers and ensures conditions of employment are met. She then closes off files and verifies staff notification change forms for Payroll to process. When not working on recruitment, Vicki schedules meetings and prepares clearances, keeps databases up to date, answers day-to-day questions from supervisors and employees and helps with any administrative tasks that need to be completed. 

The Human Resources Assistant position works in a fast-paced environment with constantly changing priorities and is very deadline-driven. Luckily for Vicki, she enjoys being very detail-orientated and organized. She is known for her in-depth knowledge of the various collective agreements that exist within the Corporation and is always willing to share that knowledge.

In 2021 alone, the HR Assistants have created approximately 345 job postings and Vicki has extended approximately 285 job offers. Getting to call candidates and offer them a job is the highlight of Vicki’s day. Hearing the excitement in someone’s voice and knowing she has made their day is always rewarding.  

Vicki has been working from home since March 2020 and has experienced challenges along the way. When in the office, the HR Assistants use a paper filing system and conditions are met by having candidates bring their paperwork into the HR office. With COVID, they have had to change their system to electronic forms and filing and have been accepting documentation through email. Working through a global pandemic has required the team to adapt to rapid changes.  There have been a few vacancies on her team and Vicki has had to adjust to the use of technology (MS Teams) and embrace training new employees virtually. Working from home has also been a challenge for Vicki because she misses the daily interaction with co-workers. If you know Vicki, you know that she is a ‘people person’, so she’s looking forward to returning to the office and feeling that energy again.

Vicki would like to thank all of the employees who stepped up and were redeployed to areas that needed help during the pandemic. She also acknowledges that all employees have had to deal with different struggles and challenges throughout the pandemic, and she is proud of the way that everyone has worked together to keep the city running. It has been very inspiring to her. 

With 30 years in the field, Advanced Care Paramedic Kevin Paradis serves as one of the longest standing paramedics in Thunder Bay. In his role with Superior 
North EMS (SNEMS), he provides what’s known in the field as pre-hospital care where patients are treated at home wherever possible. 

“Generally the work of paramedics continues to evolve to encompass preventative care services above and beyond responding to emergency calls,” says Kevin. “The pandemic highlighted the need to protect our healthcare system from becoming overrun, so it made sense for paramedics, who are equipped with life-saving devices and trained to treat injuries and ailments, to become the buffer between patients and hospital.”

As a result of the pandemic, Kevin was seconded to the COVID-19 Task Force to help with testing and vaccinations once they became available. Kevin and his colleagues provided frontline support with swabbing and getting tests to the lab quickly. No easy feat given SNEMS is one of the busiest ambulance services by call volume in Ontario.

Kevin attributes the resiliency of frontline workers and those behind the scenes as part of what motivated him to keep going.

“Hats off to my colleagues and all frontline workers including those staff who dealt with an outbreak in a local long-term care home. They inspired me to postpone my vacation to stay and help on the frontlines,” says Kevin. “I also want to recognize one of the unsung heroes of the pandemic—those processing Covid tests at the Public Health Ontario lab. They worked extremely long hours under high pressure to get results as quickly as possible. They played an integral role in seeing our community through this.”

When Lee Mesic set out to work as a Registered Nurse, she never imagined she would end up working in the long-term care sector. Yet once there, she knew it was for her. 

“As a nurse starting out in acute care, moving to long-term care was a major career change that turned out to be the right decision. It did not take long before I grew a love and passion for the work and especially for the people we serve,” says Lee. “It involves a whole new level of care and intimacy that makes for strong connections with residents, staff and families alike.”

Today, as the Administrator of Pioneer Ridge under Corporate Services and Long Term Care, Lee Mesic oversees and directs 24-hour care and services provided in Pioneer Ridge, as well as supporting the auxiliary services managed by Jasper Place; Meals on Wheels, a Supportive Housing program, and a small city Homemaking program.

It’s a high-intensity role, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, long-term care homes became the epicentre of the virus. The threat and immense fear of an outbreak created many challenges that tested the endurance of all staff.

“The pandemic meant employees had to adapt to constant change and stringent safety measures, while maintaining the compassionate, quality care we are known for,” says Lee. “Our Residents, staff and families' social and emotional well-being has been greatly impacted by this virus.

"Like they have in all challenging situations, our staff have stepped up to the plate, and that’s what has sustained us through to this stage. Every day, as I observe the commitment and care provided by staff doing their part, I am inspired, and this in turn has been my fuel to keep going.”

New infection control requirements were implemented throughout all operations, and employees found many innovative solutions to meet resident needs and connect families with loved ones when they couldn’t be together in person. Depending on the level of emergency the pandemic took, virtual, window and outdoor visits were utilized, as well as a mail campaign to send cards to residents. Also, lights were strewn on the grounds to brighten spirits over the holidays.

“It has been challenging, particularly trying to remain communicative with multiple stakeholders in an ever-changing environment,” says Lee. “In spite of that, our team shone and always prioritized safety for the residents and each other. I’m proud of them and know their efforts served as a catalyst to the transformational change that will impact our entire sector for years to come.”

Lee believes that a silver lining to the pandemic involves the greater focus and attention it has brought to the long-term care sector. It also highly demonstrated the success and achievements of municipally run Senior Services. “We learn from challenges, and in this case, it became clear the need to establish a new path forward that emphasizes the importance of seniors having the opportunity to age with dignity and respect.” 

For almost 29 years, Elaine Vidas has shaped children’s lives as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), and Assistant Supervisor at the City. As an RECE and certified member of the  Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario, she provides a nurturing environment that supports children’s overall well-being, while also ensuring policies and procedures are followed. 

Elaine spent 19 years at Ogden Child Care Centre before moving to Grace Remus where she currently works. But she wouldn’t call it work, because everyday she gets to be around the cutest kids who smile and laugh so readily.

“I truly love my job and am inspired each day by these young individuals who are curious about the world around them,” says Elaine. “It’s very rewarding watching them grow and knowing I’m supporting their development and life skills along the way.”

Something unique about her job is the connection Grace Remus shares with Pioneer Ridge Long Term Care Facility. Pre-Covid, the children would visit with the seniors twice each week. The residents would treat the children like celebrities, and it was a special bond they all miss. Still, staff try to keep the visits up through a connecting window where the children run up and greet residents.

“I believe we are the only childcare facility in Thunder Bay that is housed in a long term care home, providing programming that links seniors and little ones, and it has been a great success,” says Elaine. “We just have to stay safe, and we will come out stronger once we get through this.”

The pandemic also impacts the connections of Early Childhood Educators and parents. It’s not easy to engage with parents virtually when many of whom visited before Covid-19.

“It’s been a learning curve for everybody to find ways to stay connected, but we are finding our way through this,” says Elaine.

As Head Lifeguard at the Canada Games Complex, Talia knows a thing or two about saving lives. So when COVID-19 struck and pools had to close, it made sense for her to move into another role, joining the ranks of Pandemic Support Workers. Having lent a hand to Pioneer Ridge in 2020, Talia was recently redeployed again to the vaccine clinic at the Coliseum under a secondment agreement with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

“The fact that I am working for the City but for another organization feels a little like a cooperative placement for school,” Talia explains. “It’s refreshing to gain valuable work experience while meeting new people and running into old friends in the process.”

Pandemic Support Workers based at the Coliseum are helping citizens throughout the vaccination process. There are workers handling the initial screening questions while confirming appointments, and others directing patrons down the lines where they complete consent forms before heading to one of the 15 nurses’ stations. Once vaccinated, there’s a short waiting period to ensure people are feeling well enough to proceed to the checkout counter to obtain proof of vaccination and to book a second appointment, if needed.

Currently the clinic serves about 700 people a day, and many of those people are sharing their appreciation for the seamless process through letters to the editor and thank-you cards.

“It’s inspiring to see renewed hope in people as they get vaccinated. With each person we serve, we are that much closer to getting through this together,” says Talia.

The clinic runs from Monday to Friday with appointments between 9 am and 4:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For those with different schedules, the clinic is open later from 11:30 am to 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To book an appointment or get on a waiting list, visit is covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or call 1-833-943-3900.

With 32 years on the job, Todd Little, Specialized Transit Operator at LIFT+, has come to expect certain questions about what he does and how LIFT+ works in the community.

“People tend to not know about us, until they need us, and then we’re there,” he explains. “It’s understandable because life happens. It could be someone who broke their leg and suddenly needs a lift to physiotherapy, and that’s where we come in—we get them where they need to go.”  

People with disabilities utilize the door-to-door service to attend appointments or run errands. Service is by appointment and runs Monday-Saturday from 6 am – 12 am and Sundays from 8 am to 11 pm.

Todd says that his passengers are the main reason he likes his job so much.

“You get to know most of your riders, and it’s so much fun to connect with them on a regular basis and see how they’re doing,” he says. “We have good relationships, and share a lot of laughs, which is very rewarding.”

But like most workplaces, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes. Todd misses those faces he sees a lot less of now that there’s a lockdown. And he’s had to adapt to new safety measures that make for less riders per trip, along with barriers resulting from physical distancing, mask-wearing and Plexiglas.

Still, he’s glad there are such stringent requirements to keep drivers and riders safe. And despite the recent challenges, the service remains flexible insomuch as it can accommodate a cancelled appointment, for example, and return the rider without having to wait for a new bus.  

 “I love what I do and feel lucky to be able to do it for so long. The quality of life I have here is so much better than I had in previous jobs. I look back and think if someone would’ve told me in high school that I would have a job I love, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

Team Shout-Out

“I can’t say enough about my supervisor Pascal Gauvreau and his efforts to support our team who are a great group of people to work with. And I’d like to especially thank our co-worker, Tricia Quinton, who went above and beyond when she made masks for us before PPE was mandatory.”

Jamie Fulkerson has been with the City’s Corporate Safety Division for ten years. She is one of two Corporate Safety Specialists, and works with City departments as a resource for all things safety. This includes assisting departments, supervisors, and Joint Health and Safety Committees with their required safety training, investigation of critical and major incidents, ensuring compliance with safety legislation and the City’s Safety Management System, and developing corporate safety procedures and safety talks.

One thing Jamie likes most about her job is the dynamic and constantly changing environment that she responds to. Corporate Safety Specialists at the City never know what their days are going to be like, and even before the onset of COVID-19, there is never a boring day! While others in this profession often only have to focus on one type of business, Jamie is a resource for a diverse group of operations. She needs to know the legislation and safety processes, and have an understanding of the operations in Long Term Care, Recreation, Transit, Fleet, building maintenance, and administrative areas.

Since the pandemic set in, Jamie and the team at Corporate Safety have additional focus on educating themselves with information from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Ontario Public Health, Health Canada, etc. to create a long list of COVID Temporary Procedures, Safety Talks, and other COVID related documents. They have been assisting the departments, both those that have continued to be operational during the pandemic, and those that have had to create reopening plans. After being closed for a period of time, city facilities and departments must have new COVID precautions to implement; plans required for physical distancing when possible; masking, proper hand hygiene, and active screening processes; updated COVID specific signage, etc. Plus, the regular day to day events in the workplace still happen and need their attention.

Jamie has been fortunate to see a silver lining emerge, during this difficult time in her career, seeing City staff working together in ways they may not have to under normal circumstances. As she assists Pioneer Ridge and Jasper Place, the continued dedication of staff to the residents and tenants has been amazing to see. Both from those staff who are permanently employed in these areas, to the stories heard from staff who have been redeployed during the pandemic, Jamie believes that they definitely embody Thunder Bay’s giant heart.

In closing, Jamie expresses her appreciation for the rest of the Safety team, including all of Human Resources and Corporate Safety for helping to support the work that the Safety Specialists do, and for assisting in answering the many COVID related questions that have come up in the past 11 months. In addition, she would like to thank all the City management and staff for their ongoing ability to adapt to the crisis and for continuing to doing their part so that we can go back to doing more normal things sooner rather than later.

Alexa Fares is the Program Supervisor – Customer Services and Programs, within the Recreation Culture Division of the Community Services Department and she has been with the City for nearly 15 years. Alexa is responsible for a very broad range of citizen facing services such as Canada Games Complex (CGC) memberships, refunds, Squash programming and operational services as well as children and youth programming in after school programs, summer camps and Kidventures.

In this position, there is an array of things that need Alexa’s attention daily, and her area of responsibility is comprehensive, requiring her to constantly adapt and deal with a wide range of people and personalities. She moves from supervision of the childcare room at the Complex (which provides care for children aged four months and up); to children’s programs in the Academy neighbourhood, bringing kids to the facility for swimming; to setting up the Complex’s squash program. Her job has her interacting with patrons of the Canada Games Complex, and neighbourhood families as well as all the staff who develop and deliver these programs.

One of the best things about Alexa’s job would be the people. She sees her team as fantastic people who are fun, and love their jobs. She is proud of them as go-getters and enjoys seeing them grow through the programming they deliver. From a public perspective, she loves the people she serves, especially the faces that have been there forever.

Alexa's job has changed tremendously due to the pandemic. In the beginning, as most could agree, there was a lot of uncertainty. Her team developed a variety of virtual programming to stay connected with kids, and spent a lot of time trying to figure out camps and programs for summer, and define what they would look like. At times their offerings and services would need to change, based on updated health directives. As they worked through how to re-invent summer programming, efforts shifted to reopening of the Canada Games Complex, and adapting their staffing and services appropriately, on top of trying to interpret and apply new provincial announcements. Alexa sees this as a very interesting period in her career as everyone worked through figuring out what was best for their members and their staff, what would work and what wouldn't, as the Thunder Bay District moved through the provincial colour-coded system. In a facility like the Complex, when it was restricted to 50 people in attendance, there was a lot of trust in staff as the guidelines were especially strict with recreation facilities. Alexa and her team worked through their new duties and training all the while managing what was best for their members.

Alexa sees adaptability as the silver lining to the pandemic. It has taught her to be proactive and creative, and think ahead a lot more, to anticipate scenarios in order to apply changes to upcoming events.

Overall, Alexa is proud of how everyone has stepped up and found ways to “make it work”. All of their programming is different now, and staff has adapted. Families and kids have been so appreciative of having some type of programming, and patrons have been so excited to return to the Canada Games Complex while adjusting to things like instructors behind glass, and the drastic change in the manner that swimming lessons are delivered. When they were reopening in the fall and the doors of the Complex opened, it was clear to Alexa how much people depend on these programs for their wellness.