Thunder Bay Invites Community Input on Safety and Well-Being Plan

The City of Thunder Bay is seeking public feedback as it renews its Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, a requirement set by the provincial government. This initiative aims to address the underlying causes of safety and wellness issues, including mental health, housing instability, and systemic racism. The first of several public consultations occurred on August 23, 2023, at City Hall, marking the beginning of an inclusive dialogue with residents.

Louisa Costanzo, the city’s manager of community safety and well-being, emphasized the importance of community engagement in shaping the updated plan. “This is building on the existing plan and developing a new one,” she stated. The informal format of Wednesday’s event allowed residents to drop in and share their thoughts and concerns about safety and well-being in Thunder Bay.

The city plans to conduct additional sessions over the coming weeks, with events scheduled for August 27 at Minnesota Park, September 10 at Paterson Park, and September 17 at Dease Park. In the event of inclement weather, the consultations will move to the lobby of City Hall. An online survey will also be available from August 23 onward, with participation open until December. Costanzo noted that multiple facilitated engagements will take place throughout October and December.

Once the data collection is complete, the city plans to collaborate with local post-secondary institutions to analyze the findings. “Then I will produce a plan and present it to the community and council,” Costanzo added.

Art plays a significant role in this consultation process. Judy Barton, an artist with the Community Arts and Heritage Education Projects, introduced an interactive initiative called Blocks of Belonging during the consultation. This project encourages participants to express themselves creatively, enabling those who may not communicate effectively through traditional methods to share their thoughts.

Barton explained, “I think that every kind of consultation should have an art element to it, because some people don’t communicate in language.” Participants were prompted to choose a favorite color, describe themselves, and reflect on what makes them happy to live in Thunder Bay.

At the conclusion of the consultations, the blocks will be displayed as part of a larger mural, representing the community’s identity. “At the end of the consultation, at the end of September, then we’ll have a huge mural with everybody’s kind of block of identity,” Barton stated.

The city is also organizing a Community Safety and Well-Being Forum on September 27 at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, further aiming to engage residents in this important initiative.

Through these efforts, Thunder Bay is striving to create a comprehensive plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of its community, ensuring that safety and well-being remain a priority for all residents.