Thunder Bay’s 2026 Civic Election Opens With Early Candidate Filings

THUNDER BAY — The 2026 municipal election campaign is officially underway in Thunder Bay, with nominations opening May 1 and several new and returning names filing papers on the first day.

Voters will elect a mayor, city councillors and school board trustees on Oct. 26th 2026, with taxes, roads, public safety, housing, homelessness and the cost of living expected to shape much of the campaign conversation.

Mayoral Race Draws Early Interest

The City of Thunder Bay’s candidate filing list shows three mayoral nominees already in the race: Trevor Giertuga, Maureen “Moe” Comuzzi and Volker Kromm. Giertuga is a sitting at-large councillor and is serving his sixth consecutive term on city council.

The early filings signal that the mayor’s race is moving quickly as candidates begin positioning themselves for the campaign. Clint Harris the former publisher of the Chronicle Journal is expected to file soon as well.

At-Large Race Starts With Familiar Names

The city’s nomination list also shows Kasey Taylor Etreni, Robert Trevisan and Peng You filed for councillor at large. Etreni is currently serving her first term as an at-large councillor, while Peng You is returning to the municipal ballot after previously serving on council and later running provincially and for mayor in 2022.

Northwood Ward Gets First Filed Candidate

In Northwood Ward, André Gagné has filed nomination papers. Published comments from opening day indicate Gagné is focusing on the ward where he lives and on his background in logistics and operations, arguing that practical operational experience is needed around the council table.

The Northwood seat is expected to draw attention because incumbent Coun. Dominic Pasqualino has previously indicated he will not seek re-election.

Filed Nomination Papers Do Not Yet Mean Official Candidate Status

The city notes that people who have filed nomination papers are not official candidates until the city clerk certifies their nominations. Under the municipal election process, the clerk must examine nomination filings and certify eligible candidates by Aug. 24.

Nominations remain open until Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. Candidates must file in person with the Office of the City Clerk at city hall, and appointments are required.

What Comes Next

Once a nomination paper is filed, a candidate may begin raising and spending money on their campaign. The city says candidates for mayor or council must also submit endorsement signatures from at least 25 eligible voters, along with required forms, identification and the applicable filing fee.

For voters, the opening of nominations marks the start of a long campaign period. More names are expected before the August deadline, and the final certified candidate list will determine the shape of races for mayor, at-large council seats, ward seats and school boards.

Local Politics Stakes Are High

This election will decide who leads Thunder Bay through the next four years of decisions on taxes, roads, police funding, homelessness responses, housing growth, Indigenous relations, economic development and regional advocacy.

For Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay city council decisions often reach beyond municipal boundaries. The city is a regional service hub for health care, courts, education, transportation, shipping, business and services used by many surrounding communities and First Nations.

That makes the 2026 race more than a local popularity contest. It will be a test of who can manage the budget, work with other governments and respond to public frustration with practical solutions.

TAGS: Thunder Bay election, 2026 municipal election, Thunder Bay City Council, Trevor Giertuga, Kasey Etreni, Peng You, Moe Comuzzi, Volker Kromm, André Gagné, Northwood Ward, local politics, civic election, Northwestern Ontario