The Minutes

Host Amy Stasiewicz recaps the key highlights and decisions from the recent Quality of Life and Finance & Administration Standing Committee meetings. David Binch, Traffic Technologist with the City of Thunder Bay, joins the Minutes to discuss traffic studies, transportation planning, and the recent River Terrace parking review. Learn how traffic and parking decisions are made and the role data plays in shaping safe, efficient transportation throughout our community.

Roads, housing, services, and infrastructure all play a role in building a thriving city. In Part 2, Minutes host Amy Stasiewicz continues the conversation with Matt Pearson, Senior Advisor of Growth, exploring how Thunder Bay's Smart Growth Action Plan is supporting development and bringing partners together to create opportunities for current and future residents.

Host Amy Stasiewicz sits down with Matt Pearson, Senior Advisor of Growth, to discuss the importance of Thunder Bay's Smart Growth Action Plan and the people, organizations, and partnerships helping shape the city's future. Stay tuned for Part 2 of the interview next week.

Host Amy Stasiewicz recaps key updates from the August 11 City Council meeting. We also continue our conversation with Robert Wark, Division Chief of Administration and Community Emergency Management Coordinator with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue. In Part 2, he shares how the City of Thunder Bay plans for emergencies, coordinates response efforts, and works to keep residents safe. He also discusses the importance of personal emergency preparedness, including having an emergency kit ready and a plan in place before an emergency occurs. With recent wildfires affecting communities across Northern Ontario, this timely conversation highlights the shared responsibility between individuals, families, and emergency responders in building a resilient community.

In this episode of The Minutes, Robert Wark, Division Chief of Administration and Community Emergency Management Coordinator with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, discusses the City of Thunder Bay's Emergency Management Program and the work that happens behind the scenes to prepare for and respond to emergencies. With recent wildfires affecting communities across Northern Ontario, emergency preparedness and coordinated response efforts remain more important than ever. This is Part 1 of 2. Stay tuned for Part 2, coming in the next few weeks, as the conversation continues.

Host Amy Stasiewicz chats with Rachel Globensky, the City of Thunder Bay’s Drug Strategy Specialist, about the work happening through Thunder Bay’s Drug Strategy. From current priorities to community partnerships, Rachel shares how these efforts are helping support the health and well-being of people across our city.

Host Amy Stasiewicz recaps key highlights from the Quality of Life and Growth Standing Committee meetings. She is joined in the Minutes studio by Summer Stevenson, Project Manager with Development Services, who discusses the Housing Affordability Action Plan and explores the housing challenges facing Thunder Bay.

This week on the Minutes, host Amy Stasiewicz provides an update on summer happenings across the city, including events, construction, the upcoming Municipal Election, and the launch of Service Thunder Bay on December 7. Ian Spoljarich, the City’s Manager of Roads, joins the conversation to discuss the work taking place behind the scenes to maintain and improve Thunder Bay’s roads.

Host Amy Stasiewicz gives an overview of the July 7 City Council meeting. Andrea Morrison, the City's Director of Finance, visits the Minutes studio to chat about the City's current financial status, reserve funds and the upcoming 2027 budget.

Host Amy Stasiewicz gives a recap of the key highlights from the Finance & Administration Standing Committee meeting. Amy Coomes, the City's Program Lead for Asset Management, joins the Minutes studio to chat about what’s happening with the City’s existing infrastructure and find out more about the Asset Management Plan.

The Minutes host Amy Stasiewicz recaps what happened at City Council on June 23. The City's Archivist, Christina Wakefield, joins the podcast to discuss the heritage properties process and share updates from the City’s Archives.

Host Amy Stasiewicz recaps the recent Quality of Life and Growth Standing Committee meetings. The City’s Urban Forester, Aaron Brecka, visits the Minutes studio to discuss next steps for tree removal and replanting, as well as the vital role green infrastructure plays in supporting our community and neighbourhoods.

Host Amy Stasiewicz chats with Annika Gregg, Engagement and Partnerships Lead on the City’s Indigenous Relations team, about the many community events happening during National Indigenous History Month and other initiatives and learning opportunities offered throughout the year.

Host Amy Stasiewicz breaks down the key takeaways from the June 2 City Council meeting. Then, Dana Earle, Project Director of Customer Service, joins the Minutes studio to discuss Service Thunder Bay - a new centralized “one stop shop” for accessing City services online, by phone, or in person, launching December 7, 2026.

Host Amy Stasiewicz recaps the latest Finance & Administration Standing Committee meeting. Kristyn Lovato-Day, Policy and Research Analyst for Corporate Services, joins the Minutes studio to discuss the 2027 budget process and the new Incident Response Policy.

Host Amy Stasiewicz goes over key highlights from the May 19 City Council meeting. Joel DePeuter, Director of Development Services, stopped by the Minutes studio to discuss the exciting updates to the Waterfront Master Plan.

Host Amy Stasiewicz sits down with the CEDC's Manager of Tourism, Paul Pepe, to discuss Thunder Bay’s tourism plans, the impact tourism has on the community and local economy, and the growing influence of the cruise ship industry.

Host Amy Stasiewicz recaps the Finance and Administration Standing Committee meeting. Cory Halvorsen drops by the Minutes studio to chat about what’s happening at the Marina and share some behind-the-scenes insight and plans for the future.

Host Amy Stasiewicz gives an update of what happened at City Council this week and sits down with Dave Tarini, the new Chief of Thunder Bay Fire Rescue.

Host Amy Stasiewicz sits down with Shane Muir, Chief of Superior North EMS, to dive into the vital role paramedics play in keeping our community and region safe every single day. From emergency response to behind-the-scenes coordination, this episode of The Minutes gives you an inside look at the people and systems protecting us when it matters most.