The purchase price is only part of what we commit to when we approve a municipal project.
The purchase price is only part of what we commit to when we approve a municipal project. A bus or building also needs people, energy, maintenance and repairs. Eventually, there may be costs to replace it, dismantle it or dispose of it. Those commitments can continue for decades. We need to understand what future residents will be paying for—and whether they can afford it. Right now, the City is asking residents to help shape its 2027 budget: https://getinvolvedthunderbay.ca/city-budget-consultations While looking through the current budgets, I kept coming back to a simple question: What should the people of Thunder Bay receive for their investment? The documents describe intended benefits. I’d like clearer explanations of the alternatives, full lifetime costs and how we’ll know an investment was worthwhile. I’d also like to understand what we’re giving up or taking on to fund a project: another priority delayed, higher taxes, reserves drawn down or more borrowing. Public libraries are close to my heart. Canadian research estimates approximately $6 in community economic benefit for every dollar invested in urban libraries, alongside social benefits that are harder to measure. For me, that makes a strong case for fully funding the Thunder Bay Public Library. Thunder Bay Transit raises another question. In 2025, approximately 4% of scheduled conventional trips weren’t delivered. Those missed trips affect people getting to work, appointments and school. The ramifications of an unreliable transit system are real. Meanwhile, the capital budget includes $428,000 for transit rebranding. There may be a sound reason for it. What changes for riders? Could a less expensive approach work? Within the funding rules, could another investment do more to improve reliability? That’s the scrutiny public spending deserves—and the approach I’ll bring to Council. I’m asking for your vote because I’m prepared to do that work: understand the full commitment, weigh the alternatives, explain my decisions and follow up on what residents actually receive.
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The purchase price is only part of what we commit to when we approve a municipal project. A bus or building also needs people, energy, maintenance and repairs. Eventually, there may be costs to replace it, dismantle it or dispose of it. Those commitments can continue for decades. We need to understand what future residents will be paying for—and whether they can afford it. Right now, the City is asking residents to help shape its 2027 budget: https://getinvolvedthunderbay.ca/city-budget-consultations While looking through the current budgets, I kept coming back to a simple question: What should the people of Thunder Bay receive for their investment? The documents describe intended benefits. I’d like clearer explanations of the alternatives, full lifetime costs and how we’ll know an investment was worthwhile. I’d also like to understand what we’re giving up or taking on to fund a project: another priority delayed, higher taxes, reserves drawn down or more borrowing. Public libraries are close to my heart. Canadian research estimates approximately $6 in community economic benefit for every dollar invested in urban libraries, alongside social benefits that are harder to measure. For me, that makes a strong case for fully funding the Thunder Bay Public Library. Thunder Bay Transit raises another question. In 2025, approximately 4% of scheduled conventional trips weren’t delivered. Those missed trips affect people getting to work, appointments and school. The ramifications of an unreliable transit system are real. Meanwhile, the capital budget includes $428,000 for transit rebranding. There may be a sound reason for it. What changes for riders? Could a less expensive approach work? Within the funding rules, could another investment do more to improve reliability? That’s the scrutiny public spending deserves—and the approach I’ll bring to Council. I’m asking for your vote because I’m prepared to do that work: understand the full commitment, weigh the alternatives, explain my decisions and follow up on what residents actually receive.