City Council Meeting
Additional Information

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6:30 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

S.H. Blake Memorial Auditorium

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5.

Consent Agenda

5.3

Minutes of Previous Special Committee of the Whole Meeting(s)

5.3.1

Minutes of Previous Special Committee of the Whole Meeting

Minutes of Special Committee of the Whole-Closed Session held on February 3, 2026, to be confirmed. (Distributed Separately on Friday, February 13, 2026)

6.

Reports of Administration

6.1

Declaring a Homelessness Humanitarian Crisis

6.1.1

Declaring a Homelessness Humanitarian Crisis – City Council

At the February 10, 2026 Quality of Life Standing Committee, Report 98-2026-Growth- Strategy & Engagement was presented, a resolution was passed endorsing that City Council declare homelessness a humanitarian crisis in the City of Thunder Bay. 

Report 099-2026-Growth-Strategy & Engagement (Distributed Separately on Friday, February 13, 2026) 

• WITH RESPECT to Report 099-2026, we recommend that City Council declare homelessness a humanitarian crisis in the City of Thunder Bay, recognizing the urgent risks to life, health, safety, and dignity for people experiencing homelessness; the disproportionate impacts on Indigenous peoples; and the broader implications for community safety and well-being;

  AND THAT Administration be authorized to finalize and issue a joint declaration of humanitarian crisis related to homelessness with Anemki Wajiw (Fort William First Nation) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation;

  AND THAT Administration report back twice a year to the Quality of Life Standing Committee on progress, impacts on community safety and well-being, and outcomes of intergovernmental and partner advocacy;

  AND THAT any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification.
  
  

6.2

Guiding Criteria for Designated Encampment Sites

6.2.1

Guiding Criteria for Designated Encampment Sites – City Council

At the February 10, 2026 Quality of Life Standing Committee, Report 47-2026-Growth-Strategy & Engagement was presented seeking feedback from the Standing Committee on guiding criteria for identifying designated encampment sites, and to request support for proceeding with site identification and the next phase of consultation. The report was referred back to Administration and will be re-presented at a future City Council meeting.

Report 110-2026-Growth-Strategy & Engagement (Distributed Separately on Friday, February 3, 2026)

• WITH RESPECT to Report 110-2026, we recommend that the Guiding Criteria as outlined in this report be approved;

  AND THAT Administration identify options for designated encampment sites in alignment with Distance Guidelines and Guiding Criteria, recognizing not all criteria may be achievable;

  AND THAT Administration report back to the Quality of Life Standing Committee with consultation results and three recommended sites prior to presentation to City Council;

  AND THAT any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification.
  
  

8.

New Business

8.1

Establishment of Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session - March 3, 2026

The following resolution is presented to establish a Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session Meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026:

• THAT a Special Committee of the Whole –Closed Session meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in order to receive information pursuant to the Municipal Act (Section 239 (2)) relative to:
  (3.1)  A meeting of a council or local board or of a committee of either of them may be closed to the public if the following conditions are both satisfied:
  1. The meeting is held for the purpose of educating or training the members;
  2. At the meeting, no member discusses or otherwise deals with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of the council, local board or committee. 2006, c. 32, Sched. A, s. 103 (1).