Budget Talks - Share Your Thoughts

The City of Thunder Bay invites you to Get Involved in Budget Talks and share your thoughts on what is most important to you. Garbage collection and recycling? Parks and recreation programs? Roads and transit? Other City programs & services? Share your thoughts and help us shape our city now and into the future.

Take the Budget Survey below!

The Budget is more than dollars and cents. It impacts you through the programs and services you receive. These services are your tax dollars at work. The City's mission is to provide a balance of services that improve our quality of life and supports our economy in a responsible manner.

To set the annual budget, City Council must balance the following:

• Services – Should some services be decreased or eliminated? Which ones? Should some new services be introduced?

• User fees – What user fees should be increased? Should new user fees be applied to other programs and services?

• Municipal tax levy – To what degree, if any, should the municipal tax levy be raised to fund the services Council and the community want to increase, add or maintain?

The Approved 2026 Budget aligns with the overarching vision of the Maamawe – Growing Together Strategic Plan, which focuses on collaboration and inclusivity to advance Thunder Bay’s progress. This approach ensures meaningful outcomes across all strategic priorities.

The Approved 2026 Budget also reflects the work of the Smart Growth Action Plan throughout, with investments in customer service, development, and capacity to support growth.

Planning for the future

Just as a family plans and saves for long-term goals like college funds or retirement, the City plans for future infrastructure needs and improvements through our Asset Management Plan. This plan guides us in maintaining our current assets—ensuring that roads, bridges, and public buildings are kept in good condition—and in budgeting for future replacements and upgrades. This foresight helps us manage costs effectively and ensures our city remains a sustainable and welcoming place for future generations.

The 2026 Operating Budget package was approved by City Council on February 3, 2026.

The 2026-2027 Capital Budget package was approved by City Council on December 2, 2025.

Read the City budget at thunderbay.ca/budget

Additional engagement opportunities will be available when the proposed budget is released in early January.