Past Councils

City of Thunder Bay (1970 - Present)

The City of Thunder Bay was established in 1970, an amalgamation of the Cities of Fort William and Port Arthur, and Townships of Neebing and McIntyre. A ward system is used to ensure that all areas of the City are represented. Today, seven elected Councillors represent wards and the Mayor and five Councillors are elected at large.

View Councils:   1970s     1980s     1990s     2000s     2010s     Present Council

View Mayors: Listing of Thunder Bay Mayors

City of Fort William (1892 - 1969)

Fort William was incorporated as a Town in 1892, and achieved City status in 1907. Elections were held yearly, although beginning in 1939 all Councillors were elected to two-year terms, half of Council newly-elected each year. Starting in 1962, similar to Port Arthur, elections occurred every other year. 1939 the makeup of Council also switched from a ward system to a general vote. In 1970, Fort William became part of the City of Thunder Bay. During its time, it was governed by 74 City Councils and 25 Mayors.

View Councils:   1890s     1900s     1910s     1920s     1930s     1940s     1950s     1960s
 
View Mayors: Listing of Fort William Mayors  

City of Port Arthur (1884 - 1969)

Port Arthur was incorporated as a Town in 1884, and achieved City status in 1907. Elections were held yearly until 1962, after which Council was elected for two-year terms; Councillors were elected under a ward system until 1899, and later by general vote. In 1970, Port Arthur became part of the City of Thunder Bay. During its time, it was governed by 83 separate City Councils and 28 Mayors.

View Councils:   1880s     1890s     1900s     1910s     1920s     1930s     1940s    1950s     1960s

View Mayors: Listing for Port Arthur Mayors

About This Exhibit:

The Past Councils exhibit was prepared in 2010 as a partnership between the City of Thunder Bay Archives, the Public Art program, and Corporate Communications and Strategic Initiatives, and supported by the Summer Student Employment Program and Co-Op Student Placement Program.

Resources used in assembling this exhibit include:

• Material held by the City of Thunder Bay Archives
• Newspapers on microfilm held by the Brodie Resource Library's Local History Collection
• Archives of the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society
• Material held by the Lakehead University Library Archives
• Scollie, Frederick Brent, Thunder Bay, Mayors & Councillors, 1873 – 1945 . Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, 2000.
• Tronrud, Thorold J. Guardians of Progress: Boosters & Boosterism in Thunder Bay, 1870-1914. Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, 1993.
• Mayoral portraits held by the City of Thunder Bay Public Art Program

For more information about Thunder Bay's rich history, visit or contact the City of Thunder Bay Archives.