THUNDER BAY -- Concerned businesses will get more time to consult with the City of Thunder Bay about a proposed new by-law governing heavy truck traffic on municipal roads.
The by-law designating truck routes through the city was scheduled to be presented at Monday night's meeting of city council.
On Monday afternoon, however, the city issued a media advisory stating that the item had been removed from the council agenda and that it will instead be presented sometime in the early summer.
The advisory noted that, in the interim, administration will conduct further consultation with industry.
Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Charla Robinson says the chamber had requested a deferral after hearing from a number of businesses in different sectors, including some that were not clear about how the proposed changes would impact them.
"I'm glad the city is taking a step back to allow for more dialogue," Robinson told tbnewswatch.com.
City Clerk John Hannam said the city has also received feedback from different businesses including Resolute Forest Products. "Resolute in particular," Hannam said, "inasmuch as they have lots of trucks coming to their facility. They're not in the trucking business but their suppliers certainly are."
Hannam said the concerns have come both from companies that were consulted about the by-law and don't like the outcome, and from companies that want an opportunity for consultation and for time to assess the potential impacts on their operations.
Among the most vocal critics of the by-law has been the ownership of Santorelli's Truck Stop on Arthur Street. The company has said restricting heavy trucks on that route would result in the loss of its primary source of business.
Oliver-Paipoonge Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis has also described as "disconcerting" the prospect that some Arthur Street businesses may have to close due to a lack of traffic.
