THUNDER BAY – Civic Politics – Thunder Bay City Council took a solid step forward on Monday night. However most people likely were too busy following the deputations and political wrangling over moving to the next stage on the Event Centre to notice.
Council approved a long sought housing sub-division on Monday night.
The Mayor and Council, with the exception of Neebing Councillor Rydholm all voted to support the new development.
Why Does This Matter?
Thunder Bay has a housing shortage. It is here right now. It will only get worse if nothing is done to change it.
Councillor Iain Angus took the point on this issue.
Thunder Bay has been talking a lot about the potential in mining in Northwestern Ontario, and the possibility of jobs in mining related industries that would be located in our community.
Half a million dollars has been invested in a Mining Readiness project at the Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC). Doug Murray and the team there have been making a giant effort toward ensuring that the potential for mining is here in Northwestern Ontario and the City of Thunder Bay.
Estimates of jobs have ranged from the very optimistic early forecasts by Mayor Hobbs of up to 50,000 jobs, down to more conservative numbers in the 5,000 to 10,000 range.
So think of this, if 5,000 families were to move to Thunder Bay, were exactly would they live? That issue appeared lost on Administration, as several well thought out development plans submitted by realtors and developers have been turned down in recent years.
Council took the step of pulling the objections from the hands of Administration and approving the entire proposed development.
It is a step forward for Thunder Bay, and a message that while many might have missed it, is one people need to hear.
James Murray
