January 23, 2026 – A delegation from the City of Thunder Bay, including Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Councillor Shelby Ch’ng, Vice‑Chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, and City Manager John Collin, attended the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in Toronto from January 18 to 20.

During the conference, the Thunder Bay delegation advocated for several significant community issues and key priorities affecting the city.

“Attending the ROMA Conference at the start of the year provides a valuable opportunity for Thunder Bay to set the stage on the issues that matter most to our community,” said Mayor Ken Boshcoff. “The delegation presented a strong, unified set of messages to provincial ministers.”

The delegation participated in meetings with the following provincial representatives:

  • Hon. George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth of Ontario
  • Hon. Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing
  • Hardeep Singh Grewal, Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Transportation
  • Michelle Cooper, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance
  • Hon. Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure
  • Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
  • Hon. Michael S. Kerzner, Ministry of the Solicitor General
  • Hon. Todd McCarthy, for Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Key community issues and priorities lobbied for action and/or funding:

  • Black Ash, Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority
  • Provincial Municipal Funding Regimen
  • Mental Health and Addictions Service Expansion
  • Municipal Infrastructure Funding
  • Thunder Bay Expressway and Northwest Arterial Project – McKellar Bridge
  • Thunder Bay Expressway and Northwest Arterial Project
  • Thunder Bay District Health Unit - with Memo
  • Temporary Village, Unlocking Land, LPH, Black Ash
  • Forensic Pathology Unit, Marine Unit, Guns and Gangs

The ROMA 2026 Conference remains a critical opportunity for municipal and provincial leaders to engage on the unique challenges facing rural and northern municipalities. The conference supports collaboration, strengthens intergovernmental relationships, and ensures Thunder Bay’s priorities are clearly communicated and advocated at the provincial level.

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