The City's reports, studies, policies and plans are an important part of how we meet and set goals for our community.
Explore our searchable Policy Database.
Below is an overview of documents which guide the City.
| Accessibility Plan |
Thunder Bay's Accessibility Plan identifies the barriers that we've removed in the past and the barriers that we're working towards removing in the future.
Barriers Removed Reports
We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions, would like a hard copy of these documents, or if you'd like to report a concern you have faced in your community. The Plan is made possible with the input of our Accessibility Advisory Committee and our community. |
| Active Transportation Plan |
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The Active Transportation Plan was approved by City Council in 2019 as an update from the original 2008 document. It is intended to chart network improvements, policies and programs that will encourage and support active transportation through 2038 (and beyond). Active transportation includes walking, cycling and other human-powered ways of getting around such as wheelchairs, skateboards, scooters, and others. This plan has been prepared as part of the Thunder Bay Transportation Master Plan (TMP). It is guided by a vision, principles, and goals. VisionThrough leadership, planning, and community partnerships, Thunder Bay is a healthy, accessible, environmentally sustainable community, where active transportation is a key component of a safe, innovative, integrated transportation system that links where we all live, work and play. Principles
GoalsImproved safety for people doing active transportation
Increase the number of people walking, biking, or traveling by active transportation
Develop infrastructure that supports active transportation
Develop policies that support active transportation
Develop community partnerships to help implement a dynamic and sustainable active transportation plan
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| Age Friendly Plan |
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In response to the barriers identified in the internal audit, a five year Age Friendly Action Plan was developed to address the needs of older adults, and to provide opportunities for older adults to live in a safe environment and to participate in activities of their choice, whether recreational, social and/or intergenerational. This five-year plan was approved by City Council as Committee of the Whole on June 22, 2015. The City also supported the Age Friendly Thunder Bay Steering Committee in its successful application for an Age Friendly Planning Grant of $50,000 from the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat for development of a community-wide plan by March 2017. This Action Plan is related to actions that are the City's responsibility and does not address community wide actions that may also need to be taken to achieve a fully Age Friendly community. As the baby boom population ages, the City of Thunder Bay is adapting and refining its services to continue to provide all residents with an enhanced quality of life. It is projected that older adults, 60 years and over, will make up 33% of the District of Thunder Bay population in 2036. These adults will have varying income levels, diverse language, cultural identity, disabilities, and interests. In November 2011, the City of Thunder Bay was accepted as a member of the WHO Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities. In order to maintain its membership, the City requires an Age Friendly Action Plan. The Age Friendly City Services Action Plan Report incorporates not only a five year Age Friendly Action Plan but also, a summary of an internal age friendly audit of municipal service, programs and facilities which was completed prior to development. Internal age-friendly auditThe internal age-friendly audit of the "essential features of an Age Friendly City" was an evaluation of the ability of municipal services, programs and facilities to meet the diverse needs of and provide varied opportunities for older adults. Overall, it was found that while many issues need to be addressed, the City of Thunder Bay management team had a strong understanding of the concerns and needs of older adults and was already addressing or had plans in place to address a number of the concerns. The essential features are established by the WHO Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities. Special thanksSpecial thanks to the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH), the Age Friendly Steering Committee and Members of Administration who participated in the development of this Plan. To learn more about community efforts, visit Age Friendly Thunder Bay. |
| Asset Management Plan |
| Boulevard Lake Dam - Schedule C Environmental Assessment |
| The Boulevard Lake Dam is approximately 100 years old and is of concrete construction with a series of spillways and sluice gates, equipped with stop logs to manage water flow.
The dam was originally constructed for the generation of and provision of hydroelectricity for streetcars in Port Arthur. The dam has also resulted in the creation of Boulevard Lake behind the dam and over time the lake has become a significant recreational feature within the City of Thunder Bay. Today, the lake is used for a variety of recreational activities including swimming. Environmental AssessmentThe City initially undertook a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) pursuant to the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process. The Project File Report submitted in March 2015 was found to have a number of deficiencies and was the subject of two Part II Order Requests for a more detailed assessment. To address the deficiencies identified with the initial Schedule B assessment process, the City has chosen to restart the Environmental Assessment (EA) process as a Schedule C project. |
| Corporate Energy Management Plan |
| Corporate Energy Management is responsible for budgeting and monitoring the City of Thunder Bay's corporate energy use, and for creating a culture of conservation and responsible energy use within City operations.
This multi-dimensional approach to energy management is supported through verification of use, conservation practices, and implementation of energy efficient initiatives. In 2023, Ontario’s Ministry of Energy and Electrification enacted a new regulation under the Electricity Act, 1998, entitled O. Reg. 25/23: Broader Public Sector: Energy Reporting and Conservation and Demand Management Plans, that requires public agencies to demonstrate the leadership role government plays in energy conservation by developing and implementing energy conservation plans. Public agencies, including municipalities, are also required to report annually on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for prescribed facilities and operations. Corporate Energy Management PlanIn June 2024, the Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Plan 2024-2029 was approved. The plan outlines strategic initiatives to manage corporate energy consumption and build upon the successes of past reduction initiatives. The ECDM Plan 2024-2029 aligns the City’s previous Corporate Energy Management Plan initiatives with the goals and targets of the City’s Net Zero Strategy. Click the link below to view the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan: |
| Culture Plan |
| Digital Strategy |
| Economic Development Plan |
| The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) is dedicated to the economic development of Thunder Bay.
Read the CEDC Strategic Action Plan. |
| Long-Term Financial Overview |
The Long-term Financial Overview is a comprehensive look at the financial direction the City of Thunder Bay is taking. The overview focuses on key financial indicators and policies including:
The long-term financial overview was presented to Committee of the Whole on January 23, 2024. If you require a PDF in an accessible format, please email our Municipal Accessibility Specialist. Although best efforts are made to ensure all documents are accessible please call the Office of the City Treasurer at 807-625-2242 should you require an alternate format. |
| Official Plan |
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Program and Services Review Report |
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Recreation and Facilities Master Plan |
The plan provides recommendations regarding older adult, youth, community centre and indoor / outdoor recreation facilities. Over 1600 community members provided input into the Plan. It was presented to City Council as a First Report on Nov. 14, 2016 and returned for approval on Jan. 16, 2017. The Plan is currently in its implementation phase with annual reports going to Council on the status of key priority items. View the Fit Together: Recreation & Facilities Master Plan For more information, please contact our Coordinator - Planning, Projects & Development. |
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Recruitment Process Improvement Report |
| The City operates diverse and varied business areas in an increasingly competitive labour market. In today’s market, inefficient recruitment processes can result in a negative candidate experience, and costly vacancies that remain unfilled for a lengthy period of time.
We conducted an in-depth review of the recruitment, selection and hiring process with the goal of identifying process efficiency opportunities that:
Read the Recruitment Process Improvement Report. The City is currently in the process of implementing the recommendations outlined in the Report. The solutions will provide improvements to the recruitment and selection process that will be beneficial for all stakeholders, significantly improving the candidate experience, and advancing the modernization of the recruitment process. |
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Renew Thunder Bay Plan |
| The Renew Thunder Bay plan was a five-year incremental capital plan to better our quality of life and grow our economy through targeted and leveraged infrastructure investments.
Municipal infrastructure is important to the quality of life of every resident and business in Thunder Bay. Public Infrastructure is also critical to the competitiveness of our local economy and the delivery of cost-effective and efficient public services. Renew Thunder Bay was a five-year strategic infrastructure plan for investing an additional $130 million in Thunder Bay's infrastructure by the year 2014. The City of Thunder Bay's funding share of Renew Thunder Bay was estimated at approximately $40 million spread over five years. Major projects/programs:Legacy capital projects
Major capital projects
Multi-year capital programs
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Solid Waste Management Strategy |
| The City of Thunder Bay's Solid Waste Management Strategy was developed to move our community to a more environmentally sound waste system. The strategy, published in 2014, spans over 20 years.
We gathered information from community stakeholders, including residents, as well as consulted with Stantec Consulting Ltd. The consulting firm looked at our community waste needs and helped gather information. The Solid Waste Management Strategy provides direction for optimizing current and future residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional solid waste programs. It is a blueprint for reducing and managing solid waste, and establishes a broad policy framework for short, medium, and long term planning periods. The plan covers all aspects of waste management, including what is working well, what is not, and where we can grow. The strategy was completed and presented to City Council in April 2014. |
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Storm Water Management Plan |
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Strategic Plan |
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Sustainability Plan |
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The EarthCare Sustainability Plan 2014 - 2020 builds a vision for a more sustainable Thunder Bay. Local action is one of the most meaningful and effective ways of addressing the challenges we face at a global scale. It also has the co-benefit of creating a more livable community. The EarthCare Sustainability Plan is a living document that guides the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay, and the community, in reducing GHG emissions and creating a more sustainable future. It reflects the need for both mitigation and adaptation, and will take our community from 2014 to 2020. The Sustainability Plan was produced from the community, and so the success of its implementation comes from the community. While the City of Thunder Bay is the keeper of the plan, the plan is multi-sectoral in that many of its actions are aimed at individuals, businesses, institutions, organizations, and the local government. There is a role for everyone in its implementation. How can you get involved with EarthCare in this important journey towards a more livable and sustainable Thunder Bay? |
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Thunder Bay Climate Adaptation Strategy (2015) |
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Thunder Bay Net-Zero Strategy |
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Thunder Bay Pollution Prevention and Control Plan - Phase 2 |
| The City of Thunder Bay, with participation and funding assistance from the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government, commissioned a study in late 1993 to investigate direct municipal discharges to water course in the Thunder Bay urban service area. The purpose of this study was to develop a Pollution Prevention and Control Plan (document not accessible) for the City of Thunder Bay and urban service area. |
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Transportation Master Plan |
| The Thunder Bay Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is a strategic planning document that will guide the City’s transportation infrastructure investments for the next 20 years and beyond. The TMP recommends a practical, long-term plan for the City’s transportation system to meet the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, motorists and goods movement, while enhancing safety and accessibility, promoting sustainability, reducing environmental impacts and supporting economic development.
Also, see the new Active Transportation Plan, which is an action-oriented document intended to chart the network improvements, policies and programs that will encourage and support active transportation over the next 20 years (and beyond). Active transportation includes walking, cycling and other human-powered modes such as wheelchairs, skateboards, scooters, and others. What is a Transportation Master Plan?A Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is a long range plan which provides a framework and direction for transportation infrastructure needs across a broad area, such as a city or region. The Master Plan can also act as a visioning exercise which presents the objectives that a municipality wishes to achieve in the coming decades and the supporting policies on which infrastructure decisions are based. There have been two previous Transportation Master Plans (TMPs) since Thunder Bay was amalgamated in 1970. The first was issued the same year. The second was issued in 1989. Municipal Class Environmental ProcessThe Transportation Master Plan study was conducted in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The Master Plan fulfills the requirements of Phase 1, identifying and describing problems or opportunities, and Phase 2, identifying, evaluating, and selecting alternative solutions, preparing solutions to the problems, preparing a general inventory of the existing environment, and initial public and stakeholder consultation. Background reports |
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Trowbridge Forest Recreational Trail Master Plan |
| The City of Thunder Bay worked with various partners to produce the Trowbridge Forest Recreational Trail Master Plan. The goal of the plan is to increase recreational opportunities in the Trowbridge Forest for residents, and to establish mountain biking as a viable tourism draw for Thunder Bay. |
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Urban Design Guidelines |
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Urban design is both visual and practical. People are more likely to visit a site, a neighbourhood, or a city if it looks good and functions well. Using best urban design practices ensures this. Good design can help make people happier and calmer. Well-designed sites maintain their appeal and increase values in their area. The guidelines provide performance standards for a number of site design elements including building orientation and facades, parking and circulation, lighting, stormwater management, and landscaping. Planning staff use the guidelines to determine the merits of a particular proposal and to review Site Plan Approval applications. The Guidelines were updated on June 25, 2024. Download Urban Design Guidelines Sample Landscape StripsLandscape strips include planting designs that make it easy for you to meet the City’s landscape strip requirements and enhance your property. The intent of these planting designs is to improve both the quantity and quality of landscaping along City streets and sidewalks and within private lands. Examples include defining a property's boundary, enhancing a façade and entrance, framing signs or breaking up a parking lot. Download Sample Landscape Strips Image Route GuidelinesImage Routes are key streets throughout Thunder Bay that have been prioritised for improvements in both their appearance and functional role. These Image Routes are well-travelled corridors that create a continuous functional and cultural link throughout the City. The Image Route Guidelines were developed to guide improvements along the four identified routes. If your site is visible from an Image Route, there many be additional design standards from the guidelines that apply. |
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Urban Forestry Management Plan |
| The City has a longstanding history of urban forest development and protection for the community.
Thunder Bay’s rich history of urban forestry, combined with the dedication of City forestry staff and community members, has laid the foundation for developing a comprehensive, efficient, and effective urban forestry program. Read the City's Urban Forestry Management Plan. The Urban Forestry Management Plan was approved in 2011, however, as a result of the arrival of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetle in the city, additional adjustments and actions have been taken beyond the scope of this plan to meet the current needs of the City’s urban forest. We also invite you to read our guiding document for Parks Standards and Specifications for Tree Planting. Learn more about the City's Parks, Campgrounds and Conservation Areas. |
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Water Quality Reports |
The City of Thunder Bay is committed to providing superior drinking water from Lake Superior, while protecting the water source.
Drinking water reportsUnder the provisions of Ontario Regulation 170/03, all municipalities must ensure that a report is prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for each calendar year. The City of Thunder Bay produces a Drinking Water Quality Annual Report for the consumers. The report confirms the delivery of high-quality drinking water and contains information about the City of Thunder Bay water treatment and distribution system. See the 2025 Drinking Water Quality Annual Report. See the 2024 Drinking Water Quality Annual Report. In 2023, the City of Thunder Bay's Water Authority updated the Drinking Water System Financial Plan. Wastewater reportsThe City of Thunder Bay produces an annual Wastewater Treatment Annual Report, to satisfy the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The report outlines statistical details and a complete description of the pollution control process. In 2022, the City of Thunder Bay produced the Wastewater System Financial Plan which outlines the projected operating and capital budget plans. The goal is to achieve financial sustainability, full-cost recovery and affordability for consumers while maintaining the City's existing service levels for sewage collection and treatment. |
The "Fit Together" - Recreation and Facilities Master Plan provides the framework for future investment into the City's recreational facilities, programming and services over the next 12-15 years.New and updated documents will be added to our website as they become available.
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