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.
Read full update
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.
Running a city-wide campaign takes people. People willing to put up a sign, lend a hand, share the campaign—or make a contribution if they c
Running a city-wide campaign takes people. People willing to put up a sign, lend a hand, share the campaign—or make a contribution if they can.
You don’t need political experience, and helping doesn’t have to mean a major commitment. Even one small action can help me reach more people across Thunder Bay.
If you would like a sign, want to help, or would like to make a donation, visit:
https://campaign.rnccoffee.ca
(Link in bio)
Choose the way that works for you.
Better Decisions. Stronger City.
Authorized by Jamie Nichols, Candidate for Councillor At-Large, City of Thunder Bay.
Read full update
Running a city-wide campaign takes people. People willing to put up a sign, lend a hand, share the campaign—or make a contribution if they can.
You don’t need political experience, and helping doesn’t have to mean a major commitment. Even one small action can help me reach more people across Thunder Bay.
If you would like a sign, want to help, or would like to make a donation, visit:
https://campaign.rnccoffee.ca
(Link in bio)
Choose the way that works for you.
Better Decisions. Stronger City.
Authorized by Jamie Nichols, Candidate for Councillor At-Large, City of Thunder Bay.
A city should look after its people. Our spending priorities should reflect that.
A city should look after its people. Our spending priorities should reflect that.
For Thunder Bay, that means caring for our roads and public spaces, supporting services that connect people and investing thoughtfully in crime prevention, safety and harm reduction.
These efforts help build neighbourhoods where people feel secure, supported and part of a community—places where they want to live, work, raise a family or build a business, and where our young people can see a future.
To put that into practice, I’ll ask:
• What does each dollar accomplish, who benefits and who might be overlooked?
• What challenge does this address?
• Where does it fit among our priorities?
• Could this money do more good elsewhere?
The value isn’t always obvious from the price tag. Libraries, for example, provide free access to computers, learning and connections that can open doors. The benefits reach far beyond individual users into the wider community.
We also need to look beyond opening day. Can we afford to operate and maintain what we build? Can residents afford to use it? Will it still serve us well decades from now?
We won’t always agree on priorities. But residents deserve councillors who can explain and defend their choices—and look beyond a four-year term.
Read full update
A city should look after its people. Our spending priorities should reflect that.
For Thunder Bay, that means caring for our roads and public spaces, supporting services that connect people and investing thoughtfully in crime prevention, safety and harm reduction.
These efforts help build neighbourhoods where people feel secure, supported and part of a community—places where they want to live, work, raise a family or build a business, and where our young people can see a future.
To put that into practice, I’ll ask:
• What does each dollar accomplish, who benefits and who might be overlooked?
• What challenge does this address?
• Where does it fit among our priorities?
• Could this money do more good elsewhere?
The value isn’t always obvious from the price tag. Libraries, for example, provide free access to computers, learning and connections that can open doors. The benefits reach far beyond individual users into the wider community.
We also need to look beyond opening day. Can we afford to operate and maintain what we build? Can residents afford to use it? Will it still serve us well decades from now?
We won’t always agree on priorities. But residents deserve councillors who can explain and defend their choices—and look beyond a four-year term.