The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is asking municipal election candidates for a commitment to help strengthen Thunder Bay as a place to live, work, invest and grow through their own practical action.
This prioritizes fostering competitive growth and making it easier to invest in Thunder Bay businesses, implementing the community safety and well-being plan, and simply getting things done.
On Wednesday, the chamber released its City of Opportunity election platform, which focuses on these priorities.
Charla Robinson, chamber president, said the platform reflects insights collected from its 2026 Member Survey and the future they want for Thunder Bay.
“For us, a City of Opportunity means a city where businesses have the confidence to invest, entrepreneurs can grow with fewer barriers, families can build their futures, young people have reasons to stay, and everyone feels safe,” Robinson said.
“It is also a city where local government delivers on its commitments with transparency, accountability, and purpose.”
Through the survey, the chamber found that businesses are not asking for more studies, plans or visions.
They’re asking for execution, Robinson said. She said they want decisions that are made efficiently. They want commitments to be followed through, and transparency, accountability, and measurable progress.
“Our members believe that Thunder Bay’s greatest challenge is not lack of opportunity, but our ability to turn plans into action,” Robinson said. “The good news is that we already have a roadmap. The City’s smart growth action plan identifies many of the actions required to strengthen our economy, to improve our quality of life, and to prepare Thunder Bay for future growth.”
She said getting things done means turning plans into measurable results, eliminating delays, inconsistencies, and uncertainty that make it harder to invest and grow.
“We’re calling on candidates to make the smart growth action plan the City’s roadmap for growth, and to commit to measurable implementation, regular public reporting, and accountability for those results,” Robinson said.
“It also requires renewed attention and investment in core infrastructure. Reliable roads, water systems, transit, and municipal services are not optional. They are fundamental to economic growth and community confidence.”
The second priority is to have safe and vibrant communities. Robinson says they’re urging candidates to fully implement the community safety and well-being plan through co-ordinated, evidence-based action and measurable outcomes.
The third priority focuses on competitive growth.
Businesses told the business chamber that municipal processes are often too slow, complex, or unpredictable.
“If we want investment, we must make it easier to invest,” Robinson said.
“We’ve translated these priorities into nine clear commitments, and over the coming weeks, we will be asking every candidate for city council to tell voters whether they support each commitment,” she said.
