Thunder Bay, ON – It was an emotional start to the council meeting as youth from the Regional Multi-Cultural Youth Centre on Victoria Avenue, along with some parents spoke to Councillors heading into the meeting.
The youth were seeking to keep their youth centre which has faces many challenges over the years safer in the downtown Fort william BIA.
Perhaps it was out of the voices of the youth that some common sense trickled down on members of Council, in what was both fiery and dramatic at Monday’s city council meeting, councillors voted 7–6 against locating the new temporary shelter village at 114 Miles Street East, then immediately approved the Hillyard site off 8th Avenue in the Intercity district by an 8–4 margin.
Miles Street Site Defeated
Councillor Ken Boshcoff cast the deciding “no” vote against the Miles Street proposal—despite having signalled support if it were amended—joining Rajni Agarwal, Albert Aiello, Dominic Pasqualino, Mark Bentz, Trevor Giertuga and Michael Zussino in rejecting the location.
Proponents Brian Hamilton, Kasey Etreni, Kristen Oliver, Shelby Ch’ng and Andrew Foulds argued for preserving downtown access, but fell one vote short.
Ward councillor Hamilton had been one of the key proponents of locating the encampment on Miles Street. That despite enormous efforts by the RMYC, the Fort William BIA, local residents and business owners seeking his support for their concerns.
Rapid Pivot to Hillyard Site
Immediately after striking down Miles Street, Councillor Bentz moved to substitute the Hillyard parcel—a largely commercial area adjacent to the off-leash dog park on Central Avenue—as the new shelter village site.
Administration proposed removing a $125,000 annual contribution to the Fort William BIA and raising the project’s budget cap from $1.5 million to $1.8 million to cover added transportation and site-setup costs.
Bentz insisted the budget remain at $1.5 million, offering it as a compromise to maintain fiscal discipline.
Despite concerns about conflict between future shelter residents and park or trail users—highlighted in staff’s site evaluation—and objections over the lack of broader public consultation, council approved the Hillyard location.
Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillors Bentz, Etreni, Ch’ng, Agarwal, Aiello, Oliver and Pasqualino voted in favour, while Hamilton, Johnsen, Foulds and Giertuga opposed.
Council Members’ Reflections
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Mayor Ken Boshcoff praised Hillyard as the “favourable option” that “checks all the boxes” on costs and community impact.
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Councillor Mark Bentz described his motion as a “balanced compromise,” maintaining the existing budget.
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Councillors Shelby Ch’ng and Kasey Etreni voiced frustration at the rapid process and limited opportunity for public input, but felt pressured by tight project timelines.
What Happens Next
With the Hillyard site approved as a direct amendment to the original motion, no further council ratification is required—barring any major logistical or public-objection barriers.
City staff will now proceed with detailed site planning, infrastructure setup and coordination with social-service partners.
