THUNDER BAY — City council voted unanimously Monday to support the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission’s (CEDC) request for the province to reconsider the city’s eligibility for the Rural Ontario Development Program.
“Thunder Bay is currently designated as an urban hub, although the city of Greater Sudbury, which has a much larger population, is considered rural and is eligible for the programs,” said Coun. Kristen Oliver, chair of the city's intergovernmental affairs committee. “We are trying to build some equity and fairness.”
Currently, Thunder Bay’s urban designation makes it ineligible for the program, despite facing many challenges typical of rural communities, including low population density over a large area, limited specialized services, and significant transportation and connectivity barriers.
The motion calls on the province to update the program’s definition of rural to reflect geographic, economic, and service-delivery realities rather than population size alone. If adopted, the change could open access to new funding, infrastructure support, and investment opportunities for Thunder Bay and the surrounding region.
The resolution will be sent to Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson, Northern Development and Economic Growth Minister George Pirie, Thunder Bay–Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland, and Thunder Bay CEDC CEO Jamie Taylor.
