Mayor Ken Boshcoff

Ken Boshcoff is the tenth Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay and a member of the 2022-2026 City Council.

Ken is a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, and was first elected in 1979. He served as Councillor until 1997, when he was elected Mayor and served until 2003. Ken returned to City Council again in 2010-2014 to serve as Councillor At Large. Ken has been involved in Municipal issues serving on many boards and volunteering continuously for numerous organizations. Ken is the only Mayor who has been President of Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ontario Good Roads Association.

He has represented his City on numerous civic committees and boards, and is well known among many community groups for his volunteer work and leadership. Ken is very proud of his many initiatives including Crime Stoppers, 9-1-1, Friendship Games, Neighbourhood Watch, Women’s Shelters and Community Policing. He’s particularly proud of his early work in environmental stewardship and many eco-friendly programs, especially recycling. Ken was proud to initiate “The Mayor’s Walkabout” which fostered relationships with Indigenous and community groups, as well as city employees. Ken is extremely proud to have assisted with the launch of Leadership Thunder Bay and its significant role in training future leaders.

Ken advocated and fundraised for the Regional Hospital and Medical School, as well as Chairing and serving on many boards such as the Royal Canadian Mint, the CNIB, the Airport Authority and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Ken is also proud of his years as an MP for Thunder Bay – Rainy River, where he Chaired the Parliamentary Committee of Persons with Disabilities and worked hard on developing the Province of Ontario’s first Disability Act. He further represented Canada at several international conferences on environmental and peace endeavors.

Ken attended Lakehead University receiving his Honours in Political Science and Economics, and later graduated from York University with his Masters in Environmental Studies and Systems Planning.

Current boards and committees

• Anti-Racism & Equity Advisory Committee          

• Audit Committee

• Clean, Green & Beautiful Committee                    

• Community Safety & Well Being Advisory

• Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee                

• Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors

• Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association        

• Ontario Big City Mayors

• Sister Cities Advisory Committee                           

• Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission

• Thunder Bay Community Auditorium                   

• Thunder Bay District Board of Health                

• Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board

• Thunder Bay Police Services Board                        

Each year, the Mayor goes to many special events in the City. Invite the Mayor to your event or request formal written greetings.