THUNDER BAY – City council put its stamp on a massive $25.5 million funding agreement with the federal and provincial governments for improvements to Thunder Bay Transit Monday, though the plan drew criticism for its continued reliance on fossil fuels.
The City also received an annual report, and dividend, from its majority ownership of Synergy North, and another report on the implementation of one recommendation from the Seven Youth Inquest.
Hydro ownership pays off
The City of Thunder Bay will receive over $660,000 in dividends from its majority ownership of Synergy North. A dividend was deferred last year due to the pandemic.
At a virtual AGM of the city-owned Thunder Bay Hydro Corporation, which has a 91.69 per cent stake in Synergy North, company leadership said the utility had weathered the pandemic with better-than-expected results in 2020, emerging with comprehensive income of $3.6 million.
The company’s generating station at the Mapleward landfill continues to be a financial drag thanks to low gas supply. The project required a $1 million cash injection from Thunder Bay Hydro in 2020 to stay afloat.
Departing CEO Robert Mace reported mixed news elsewhere on the renewables front, with existing solar installations generating healthy revenue, but current provincial policies holding back further growth.
Climate criticisms for transit funding plan
A $25.5 million funding package that will fund major improvements to Thunder Bay Transit came under scrutiny from a pair of city councillors for its lack of climate ambition.
The investment, funded by all three levels of government under the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) will pay for improvements to bus stops and transit hubs, new vehicles, an electronic fare management system, and more.
Coun. Andrew Foulds said with nearly $5 million on the table for fleet renewal, the city should purchase electric, not diesel, buses.
City staff said councillors can expect to see a plan to electrify the transit fleet in the coming years, but the option wasn’t deemed feasible in 2019, when the city applied for ICIP funding.
Youth Inclusion Program
Councillors received a two-year update on the Youth Inclusion Program, launched in 2019 with federal funding as one response to the Seven Youth Inquest into the deaths of Indigenous youth in Thunder Bay.
The YIP offers programming and connection to services for participants aged 12 to 24, with a special focus on Indigenous youth who come to the city for education.
The program, funded 100 per cent through a $5.6 million federal grant, is expected to reach 1,075 participants over its duration, a report from the city estimated.
Councillors questioned whether the program had done enough to connect with existing local organizations doing similar work.
They also asked what will happen when federal funding expires in 2023 – with the answer still uncertain, according to YIP staff.
Infrastructure work approved
Council awarded nearly $4 million in contracts for road, sewer, and water improvements.
That will include substantial work in the south end on Vickers, Leland, and Heron streets, and resurfacing of Frederica Street, John Street Road, and Oliver Road.
Parking restrictions for South Creek Street
Two-hour parking will be implemented on South Creek Street following a council vote Monday. City staff reported receiving complaints of congestion caused by non-residents parking in the area, located in the River Terrace development.
Similar restrictions on nearby streets have been effective, a memo from the Parking Authority said.
The demand for parking in the area likely comes from staff and visitors to the hospital, said supervisor Jonathan Paske.
