Indigenous leaders in Thunder Bay, Ontario, have penned an open letter to urge the city’s mayor to declare a state of emergency regarding homelessness. The letter, released on Friday and signed by Fort William First Nation Chief Michele Solomon and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, coincides with a prolonged period of extreme cold weather in northwestern Ontario. Severe cold warnings have been active in the region since the previous week, persisting as of Monday.
The letter emphasizes the critical situation, highlighting the imminent danger faced by individuals sleeping outdoors as temperatures plummet to hazardous levels. The plea from Fiddler and Solomon includes a call for Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff to seek additional support from higher government levels, underlining his responsibility to act swiftly in seeking aid.
The most recent point-in-time count for Thunder Bay conducted in October 2025 revealed 652 individuals experiencing homelessness, with 130 residing in encampments and 47 staying outdoors in non-encampment locations. Furthermore, data from the previous year’s count indicated that a significant 78% of those facing homelessness in Thunder Bay were of Indigenous descent.
The letter stresses that declaring an emergency is a fundamental step to demonstrate the city’s commitment to addressing homelessness and prioritizing the well-being of those affected. It also expresses willingness to collaborate with the mayor and other stakeholders once the emergency declaration is in effect.
In response to the letter, Mayor Boshcoff acknowledged receipt and stated that he would carefully consider the contents before responding in consultation with the council. Meanwhile, Fort William First Nation Chief Solomon acknowledged that while emergency declarations do not guarantee immediate additional resources, they serve to draw attention to the issue and facilitate collaborative efforts across various government levels.
The article also mentions a similar call made in December 2025 by Elevate NWO, urging the mayor and city council to declare a state of emergency regarding housing and homelessness. Both the city and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) responded to this call, recognizing the urgency of addressing homelessness but highlighting that a municipal emergency declaration alone may not provide new tools or additional funding.
As part of its response to the ongoing extreme cold weather, the City of Thunder Bay activated its Severe Weather Response Plan, ensuring the availability of shelters and warming services for the community. Despite the challenging weather conditions persisting in Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario, efforts are ongoing to provide support and assistance to those in need.
Environment Canada has issued a cold weather Yellow Warning for Thunder Bay, with temperatures expected to remain below normal throughout the upcoming week, underscoring the importance of continued support and resources for the homeless population in the region.