Johnson remains lone councillor to voice opposition to Sister Cities program

Rebecca Johnson continues to be the lone councillor against the Sister Cities initiative.

Council approved the committees June trip to Seinajoki, Finland Monday night. Coun. Johnson was the only one to vote against the trip.

"I don't think that's a wise use of dollars particularly when in the environment that we currently are in," Johnson said Wednesday.
"I've been voting against the sister cities committee and their travel for a number of years and I will continue to do that."

Johnson said many municipalities are opting out of traveling to sister cities, instead choosing to use technology for meetings. She also wants to see more statistics on what the city gets for its $10,000 expense.

"Is their really a return on the investment of individuals going overseas," Johnson asked.

City clerk John Hannam said the committee provides a report to council after every trip. And after the first six years of the initiative, the city spent $125,000 and saw around $800,000 in return through economic development, exchanges and students coming to Thunder Bay.

"We're more than satisfied with that analysis," he said.

But dollars aren't the only way to measure the committee's success. There are also cultural and educational benefits as well. City staff can also learn a better way to do things.

"We know from our last visit there for instance that their waste management systems are much more advanced than ours," Hannam said.
Seinajoki also has an extensive trail network that has worked its way into Thunder Bay's active transportation plan.