City invites feedback on Council meeting structure and Council Committees

The governance structure of City Council in Thunder Bay could change, with the City looking for input on how Council operates.

Currently, City Council uses the Committee of the Whole system to receive reports, debate topics and make preliminary decisions on matters that govern Thunder Bay. Those decisions are then ratified, or confirmed at City Council.

City administration is looking at making changes to the model in place, replacing Committee of the Whole with Standing Committees. The Standing Committee system would have a smaller group of councillors sit on specific committees and focus their attention on specific City operations or departments. Standing Committees would receive reports, like Committee of the Whole does, debate and vote on matters, and make a recommendation to City Council. City Council would continue to have the final say on all Council decisions.

This review also includes a scan of the current set up of council advisory committees to see if any changes are required to the number or structure of those committees. City Council currently has over 15 council advisory committees; there are a small number required by law.

“We want to hear what the public has to say before we make any recommendations to Council on how its meeting, and governance structure is changed along with the public view on the benefits of council advisory committees,” said Krista Power, City Clerk and Director of Legislative Services.

City Council will receive a report on how its governance structure could change by the end of June 2025. Any changes to the governance, meeting structure and advisory committees would have to be approved by City Council.

Municipalities across Ontario use both a Standing Committee and Committee of the Whole system and many have advisory committees that support the work of City Council.

A public survey is now available at thunderbay.ca/getinvolved. It will remain open until March 31.

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