Dear Mayor Boshcoff & Member of City Council:
On behalf of our over 800 members, I am writing to express our support for Option 1 – full implementation of the City’s long-term tax strategy – as outlined in the 2026 tax policy report.
In 2023, Council adopted this long-term tax strategy to improve financial stability, increase equity across property classes, support a business-friendly environment, and strengthen competitiveness. It recognized that the current tax structure places a disproportionate burden on multi-residential, commercial, and industrial properties—an imbalance that limits investment and economic growth.
Option 1 in the 2026 tax policy report represents a meaningful step forward in improving competitiveness, particularly for commercial and industrial properties. Tax structure is a key consideration for businesses when making decisions about expansion, investment, and location. Moving tax ratios closer to provincial norms improves competitiveness and sends a clear signal that Thunder Bay is prepared to support investment and growth, consistent with the Smart Growth Action Plan.
From the Chamber’s perspective, continued progress on the long-term tax strategy is essential. Recent delays have resulted in multi-residential, commercial, and industrial properties contributing over $1 million in additional property taxes across 2024 and 2025. Advancing the strategy now is both timely and necessary.
Sustainable municipal finances ultimately depend on growth in the tax base. Encouraging commercial investment, industrial development, and broader economic activity is vital to achieving that objective. Option 1 helps create the conditions needed to support that growth over time.
While affordability remains an important consideration, the difference between options is modest in the short term. Option 1 provides greater long-term benefits through a stronger tax base and a more balanced system.
We respectfully urge Council to adopt Option 1. It is a practical step toward a more competitive, sustainable, and growth-oriented Thunder Bay.