THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay's city council reaffirmed its advocacy for what it called more equitable vaccine supply Monday, while approving infrastructure renewal of the Edward Street Bridge and receiving good news about the city's financial position.
Second thoughts on vaccine advocacy
Council reaffirmed its call for "fair and equitable" vaccine distribution, over the objections of several councillors who expressed second thoughts Monday.
A resolution passed unanimously on April 19 expressed concern over the diversion of up to 25 per cent of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s vaccine supply to “hot spot” areas elsewhere in the province experiencing deadly COVID-19 surges.
Four councillors retracted their support for the resolution Monday in a confirming vote.
The group said they were uncomfortable with supporting a stance that seemed to contradict public health experts, who have endorsed the provincial strategy.
City projects $3 million favourable variance
In the first quarterly budget variance update of 2021, the city projects a $3 million positive variance by the end of 2021.
The difference comes largely thanks to additional funding from upper levels of government, including large amounts of COVID relief.
Edward Street Bridge replacement set for May
Council voted to award a nearly $6.5 million tender to local construction company LH North for a full replacement of the Edward Street Bridge over the Neebing River.
Construction is expected to begin in May and last through the fall, diverting traffic off of Edward in the area.
More consultation coming on EMS plan
North Shore- and Greenstone-area communities upset over plans for reduced ambulance service – and a lack of consultation over those plans – will have plenty of time for their concerns to be heard, municipal leaders said Monday.
Newly-appointed general manager of development and emergency services Karen Lewis said recommendations in a new master plan to consolidate ambulance bases in the communities were not set in stone, and would be subject to further consultations.
“Recommendations with respect to the restructuring of some district services require further consideration before a path forward can be identified,” she wrote in a report to council.
Those hard decisions might be put off beyond June, when administration will present an implementation report on the plan, she suggested.
Tax Policy passed
Councillors approved a 2021 tax policy that reduces tax ratios for large industrial and multi-residential properties, in line with the city’s long-term tax strategy.
The move will reduce the rate at which those property classes are taxed relative to the residential class. However, it also means they will no longer be sheltered from municipal tax levy increases.
