THUNDER BAY, ON – June 16, 2010 ---   Citizens in Thunder Bay now want to see a vision for their community over the next 25 to 30 years. The Citizens Coalition of Thunder Bay is meeting Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the West Thunder Community Centre to begin shaping a vision of Thunder Bay’s future.

The vision is long-overdue to see Thunder Bay’s future pathway. With the economic down-turn in the forestry sector and out-migration of youth have citizens of Thunder Bay concerned about the future of their community. Also, citizens are concerned that the City of Thunder Bay is not taking a wholesome approach when it comes to planning for the city’s future. The status-quo is no longer acceptable.

A similar exercise was carried out in the 1990s called Fast Forward Thunder Bay. This initiative wrapped up in 2006. Also, between municipal elections, Council has come together to form strategic action-plans but are considered short-term. The Citizens Coalition has met a couple of times this Spring and have heard from over 100 people raising the issue that Thunder Bay does not have a long-term vision for the sustainability of the city’s future.

The goal of the Citizens Coalition of Thunder Bay is to motivate City Council and Administration to begin thinking about Thunder Bay’s future in 2030. Some of the ideas put forward; a reformed full-time city council, tax reform, open for business initiative, and emphasis on environmental sustainability.

Before the Summer break, the Citizens Coalition of Thunder Bay invites the public to be part of this grassroots process in talking about the future of Thunder Bay. This initiative will carry on in the Fall and a deputation to council sometime after the municipal election.