Learn more about the Smart Growth Action Plan

On this page, you can:

• Read the draft Smart Growth Action Plan
• Learn more about how and why it was created
• Provide your feedback by filling out a short survey
• See other upcoming opportunities to have your say
• Get in touch with the Growth team

Why Growth, Why Now?

A city needs to grow to sustain the services residents rely on, maintain a strong workforce for the future, attract investment, address social challenges, and offer rich cultural and recreational opportunities, and Thunder Bay’s recent growth has been modest compared to other Canadian cities.

Recent initiatives by the City and other local institutions have provided a strong foundation for enhanced growth efforts. This includes revitalization projects in both downtown cores, significant growth in housing construction including multi-residential builds, and renewed interest in large commercial and industrial investments. but according to a recent study completed by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), growth will remain limited over the coming decade without targeted action.

The City of Thunder Bay has brought organizations from across the city together to create a Smart Growth Action Plan for our community, a roadmap to improve on those growth projections.

The Smart Growth Action Plan is built around three core goals: expanding Thunder Bay’s tax base, strengthening the local workforce, and attracting new residents — all while enhancing community vibrancy, inclusivity, and readiness for sustainable growth.

The Smart Growth Action Plan outlines over 100 actions that will build on this foundation. The Plan is based around three Pillars:

• Readiness: Preparing Thunder Bay to support growth with shovel-ready lands, resilient infrastructure, and clear processes.
• Attraction: Enhancing the city’s appeal by fostering active downtowns, welcoming public spaces, and a strong community identify.
• Talent: Setting the groundwork for a city where skilled people choose to build their careers, graduates find opportunities, and workers are set up to thrive.

The Smart Growth Action Plan provides a focused framework to guide how we grow –responsibly, sustainably, and in a way that reflects our community’s values and opportunities.

Now it’s your turn to learn about the Plan, get your questions answered,
and provide feedback to help shape how we grow!

What is Smart Growth?

Smart Growth is a planning and development approach that focuses on building vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities. It encourages investments in infrastructure, housing, transportation, and services that promote economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and quality of life for all residents.

Smart Growth supports growth that is intentional, efficient, and equitable, ensuring that as cities expand, they do so in ways that:

• Use land and resources wisely
• Strengthen the local economy and tax base
• Create complete, connected communities
• Protect natural assets
• Offer opportunities for all people to thrive

How the Plan was Built

The creation of the Smart Growth Action Plan has been guided by Task Force Growth, a group of 25 community leaders who represent major local institutions and offer expertise on economic and community growth.

The Plan has been shaped by significant public consultation with a diversity of Thunder Bay residents. In the spring and summer of 2025, public input was gathered through focus groups, town halls, targeted stakeholder meetings, and a public survey.

Through this first phase of public engagement, the City’s Growth team heard from newcomers to Thunder Bay, young professionals, local businesses and business associations, Indigenous organizations, education, law enforcement, and other community groups.

The feedback we received has meaningfully shaped the Smart Growth Action Plan. A number of actions were approved by Task Force Growth specifically responding to community input.

The Plan is informed by the CEDC’s Economic Growth Assessment & Strategy, which evaluated the city’s business ecosystem, industrial land availability, barriers to economic growth, and more.

Next Steps

A second phase of public engagement began on October 21, 2025, including a town hall, a public survey, and follow-up meetings with focus groups and stakeholders.

Residents are invited to attend a town hall to view the draft Plan, ask questions, and provide feedback:

• November 3, 6pm-8pm at the Italiian Cultural Centre, 132 Algoma St S.

The draft Smart Growth Action Plan is currently under review by City Council’s Growth Standing Committee, with anticipated approval by Council on December 2. The Plan will be discussed on the following dates:

• Oct 21: Initial presentation to City Council
• Oct 28: Initial presentation to Growth Standing Committee
• Nov 25: Follow-up presentation to Growth Standing Committee
• Dec 2: Presentation to City Council for approval