THUNDER BAY – Financial relief, including deferral of municipal taxes and water bills, may be on the horizon for Thunder Bay residents and businesses as city council weighs its options in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Council is set to decide on some steps March 30, after directing city administration to report back on a range of possible actions.
As much of public life grinds to a halt, city hall betrayed signs of the unfolding crisis at Monday night’s meeting. The meeting was closed to the public, with council chambers rearranged to allow more distance between councillors (meetings can still be watched online).
City hall itself was announced closed to the public part-way through the meeting. And for the first time, councillors were able to participate remotely, thanks to legislation recently passed by the Ontario government.
Councillors unanimously supported a resolution to consider the possibility of financial relief for residents and businesses Monday night. That could include deferred taxes and water bills, waiving user fees, penalties, and interest, and other measures. Council directed city administration to report back with options at their next meeting on March 30.
Coun. Aldo Ruberto pressed council to discuss the city’s wider response, raising possibilities like offering up city arenas, as has been done in Sudbury to provide a venue for food aid.
Other councillors, while saying they shared Ruberto’s enthusiasm, thought it best to allow city administration to take the lead on specific responses, with council providing high-level direction.
“We need to be thoughtful,” cautioned Current River councillor Andrew Foulds, saying quickly-moving events are putting enormous pressure on city administration, but that he had faith in their ability to handle the crisis.
City Manager Norm Gale outlined the city’s response for councillors Monday. While he said the constantly-changing situation is challenging, he reassured councillors that the city had mobilized to stay on top of it and consider all options in responding.
“There’s a lot going on and it’s moving very quickly, and we’re staying on top of it,” Gale said.
