Latest from the Campaign

Four days of road work. No meaningful advance warning. Local businesses, Transit, and a community food centre caught by surprise. That is a failure of planning and communication. Water Street was reduced to one alternating lane on Wednesday. The City posted its public notice at 9:43 that morning—after the disruption had already begun. A coffee shop at Bay and Water received no useful warning that customer access would be severely affected. Roots Community Food Centre was also surprised. Roots provides meals to people in need, along with ID services and community programs. Regular bus stops were suddenly unavailable, and Roots had to call Transit to arrange a temporary stop. According to Roots, the work was a surprise to Transit that morning, too. Affected organizations were left finding answers, changing access arrangements, and warning the public after work had already started. The City’s 2026 paving contract includes a requirement for at least 48 hours’ written notice before work that may affect someone’s property or operations. The City needs to explain whether that requirement applied here and, if it did, why it was not followed. At minimum, planned road work should include: • Early notice with an approximate date range. • Direct notice to affected businesses and organizations. • Detailed confirmation at least two business days before work begins. • Clear information about traffic, transit, parking, deliveries, access, noise, and odours. • Prompt updates when plans change. Small businesses create jobs, support local suppliers, and bring life to our neighbourhoods. Community organizations provide services people depend on. They must be treated as stakeholders when City work affects them. Road maintenance is necessary. Leaving everyone to discover a major disruption after it begins is not. Supporting small businesses is a pillar of my campaign. On Council, I will push for clear notice, practical coordination, and accountability when City projects affect the people keeping our economy and community moving. Better Decisions. Stronger City.

One of the things in my career I’m most proud of is the community that has grown around my small business. Together, the company’s team have created a place where people from many different backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences feel safe, welcome, respected, and free to be themselves. That has never been a marketing strategy, it is at the heart of how I run my business and how I live my life. True inclusion takes more than saying everyone belongs. It means listening when someone says they are being left out, speaking up against discrimination, acknowledging when we fail to recognize a barrier, and being willing to learn and change. I have also seen how diversity makes a team stronger. Different experiences help us recognize problems we might otherwise miss, bring better ideas to the table, and make decisions that serve more people. That matters in a small business, and it matters even more in local government. As an At-Large Councillor, I will bring that same warmth, openness, and care to the work of representing Thunder Bay. I will stand up for equitable opportunities, work to remove barriers and stigma, and keep my door open to anyone who needs to be heard. I may not always recognize every barrier and the conversations may get uncomfortable but I will listen, keep learning, and use my place at the table to help open doors for others. Better Decisions. Stronger City.