Thunder Bay City Council has officially approved the Smart Growth Action Plan, a comprehensive 10-year plan designed to guide the community toward sustainable growth. The plan sets out more than 100 actions aimed at strengthening the City's tax base, attracting new residents, and building a more connected and complete Thunder Bay.

Developed by Task Force Growth, a dedicated group of local leaders from across the city’s major sectors, the plan will now move into implementation by the City of Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), and key community partners including Lakehead University, Confederation College, Tbaytel, Synergy North, and others.

“Thunder Bay has always had incredible potential, and the Smart Growth Action Plan is the roadmap to help us grow sustainably, attract new residents, support local businesses, and build stronger neighbourhoods.” said Mayor Ken Boshcoff. “Smart Growth is how we make life better for the people who already call Thunder Bay home. Council is proud to endorse a plan that reflects our values, our priorities, and our optimism about the future.”

City officials emphasize that while the plan is being led by major organizations, its success depends on residents, businesses, community groups, and institutions working together. “This is a community plan, not a government plan,” said City Manager John Collin. “Council’s approval marks the beginning of a decade of coordinated action, but the vision behind it belongs to everyone. When we grow together, we can build the Thunder Bay we want to live in, now and for generations to come.”

A central goal of the plan is to grow Thunder Bay’s tax base by approximately 3% each year. With typical inflation around 2%, this would leave 1% in new capacity every year for the City to not only maintain existing services, but to invest in improvements, and deliver more value for current residents, without increasing the financial burden on existing taxpayers.

“This is Thunder Bay’s moment,” said the CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC, Jamie Taylor. “We have a clear, coordinated, community-built plan that puts us on the path toward meaningful growth. This is how we strengthen our workforce, generate new investment, and expand opportunities for new and existing residents and businesses.”

The Smart Growth Action Plan prioritizes sustainable development, infill housing, strong public spaces, and more efficient land use. The goal is to grow in ways that support transit, reduce sprawl, increase housing options, and strengthen quality of life across the city.

“With Council’s approval, we will now move from planning to action” said Kerri Marshall, the Commissioner of the City’s Growth Department. “The next decade is about rolling up our sleeves and working with the community to build a brighter, more resilient, more connected Thunder Bay.”

The draft Smart Growth Action Plan can be viewed at ThunderBay.ca/SmartGrowth. A digital version of the finalized plan will be available in the coming days; printed copies will be available in the new year.

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 Contact: Michelle Williams, Manager – Corporate Communications & Public Relations, 807-627-2446