To the editor:
There is no question that the City of Thunder Bay faces challenges.
There are things that we as residents, alongside our city councillors and administration, must focus on if we’re to truly make our city strong, safe and inclusive.
However, during this election campaign, I’m seeing a great deal of focus on the negative, with little attention paid to the many good things we’ve achieved together. It’s alarming. It denigrates and dismisses the great work being done by so many people who strive each day to make things better. It also runs contrary to the spirit of teamwork and empathy that are so important in actually making the improvements we all want to see.
Our city has made great, progressive strides in many key areas - for example, Thunder Bay’s Climate Adaptation Plan, Culture Plan, Stormwater Master Plan, and Enhanced Infrastructure Renewal Program have all made our city stronger and more liveable.
Our investments have made our city Clean, Green and Beautiful. We’ve installed eye-catching public artwork, and supported a huge number of festivals and other public events that bring our residents, their families, and their friends together.
And it’s not just the public sector making these efforts. Look at Roots to Harvest, Evergreen A United Neighbourhood, the Definitely Superior Art Gallery, the Waterfront BIA, the Regional Food Distribution Association, and the Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay.
The people involved in these initiatives care about Thunder Bay and its people. They celebrate the things that make our city unique and beautiful. And they continue to work hard for the betterment of our people and our neighbourhoods.
This isn’t to say that we’ve solved our issues. As stated, our city faces many challenges. And the solutions will come through teamwork, and a realistic, evidence-based approach. That takes research, understanding, and empathy.
We must not run from the challenges we face in Thunder Bay. We must work through them. And to do so, we must understand and appreciate the good works that have are already taking place all around us, and work together to build on them and make Thunder Bay truly an outstanding place to live, work and play.
Andrew Foulds,
Councillor Candidate
Current River Ward
