With the conclusion of Thunder Bay’s 50th anniversary year in 2020, the City’s 50th Anniversary Committee presented a commemorative video last night that highlights the shared history of our city from amalgamation to the present day.

“Despite the challenges COVID-19 presented in 2020, members of the 50th Anniversary Committee remained flexible in terms of identifying and acting on initiatives they could deliver, and I thank them for their determination to ensure we can reflect on our 50th anniversary with pride,” said Mayor Bill Mauro.
“Thanks to the perseverance of the 50th committee and supporting staff, we were able to move forward with some of our anniversary plans including the commemorative video that recognizes the important milestone of 50 years as one city,” said Councillor Shelby Ch’ng, Chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee.

The anniversary year began with a pancake breakfast at the O’Kelly VC Armoury on Jan. 1, including a visit from Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell who spent New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in the city. She helped open a time capsule from 1995 and attended a community skating party at the Fort William Gardens.

Other notable events and initiatives that took place in 2020 include:

  • Civic timeline display installed in lobby of City Hall
  • Bi-monthly column in The Walleye that featured a look back over the decades since 1970
  • Weekly radio segments called Superior Stories with Acadia Broadcasting
  • Street light banners installed throughout the city
  • City events with 50th theme, including SnowDay, Winter FunDays, Neighbour Day, Doors Open, and a Women in History Exhibit
  • 50th Anniversary grant program
  • Digital Walking Tour app to be launched in Spring 2021
  • 50th Anniversary Commemorative Art Bus
  • Commemorative video

The 50th Anniversary Committee began as the official Civic Pride Task Force in 2016. Recognizing the City was soon to turn 50, the committee revised its direction to encompass a focus on generating civic pride in time for Thunder Bay’s 50th, as well as instilling excitement for the future.

With a focus on Thunder Bay’s people, success stories, history, culture, heritage and diversity, the committee met regularly to plan a variety of signature activities. The committee included representatives from Chamber of Commerce, Lakehead University, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, Thunder Bay Historical Museum and Thunder Bay Public Library. In addition, Committees of Council representatives from Clean, Green and Beautiful, Sister Cities, and Official Recognition joined city officials to round out the 50th committee.

January 1, 2020 marked 50 years since the amalgamation of the former cities of Fort William and Port Arthur with Neebing and McIntyre Townships, resulting in what is now the City of Thunder Bay.

To learn more about amalgamation, relive memorable moments, listen to Superior Stories, watch the commemorative video and more visit our 50th Anniversary page.

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Contact: Stacey Levanen, Supervisor- Corporate Communications, Member of Committee, 625-3650