Editorial by Kelsey Raynard

Thunder Bay has recently been crowned Canada’s most affordable city, according to a report produced by Royal LePage.

As someone who is currently trying to buy their first home, I have mixed feelings. As local houses are selling with no conditions on bids tens of thousands of dollars over asking price, combined with growing interest rates and competition among buyers, this title of “affordability” seems paradoxical. Breaking into the housing market, regardless of the city you live in, is becoming increasingly daunting.  

As a result of this report, the Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission has relaunched an advertising campaign aiming to attract urban dwellers to relocate to Thunder Bay for a more affordable lifestyle. Many folks who may be looking to move here and enter into the housing market will be forced to rent first; the report itself indicates that renters are more likely than homeowners to consider relocation for more affordable housing. However, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Thunder Bay doesn’t even make the top 10 most affordable cities to rent in. For low-income and even mid-income families currently renting—whether that be in Thunder Bay or elsewhere—saving a 20% down payment (which is the number Royal LePage used to calculate their data for this ranking) seems insurmountable.  

I can’t say this Royal LePage headline surprised me much. Are houses in Thunder Bay more affordable than in city centres like Toronto or Vancouver? Of course. We also lack the infrastructure and access to services that are readily available in these larger cities. We are geographically isolated, with limited options for public transportation and travel in general. We have a host of complex social challenges that contribute to a widening wealth gap in our city. Need I remind anyone of the other lovely title we are bestowed every other year: the homicide capital of Canada?

I don’t mean to be a naysayer. I love Thunder Bay, and have no plans on leaving (please see earlier note on trying to buy a house). I love the unparalleled natural beauty; I love the ease of access to the outdoors; I love the rugged attitude of our people; I love the vibrant local business scene. It is because of this love that I want Thunder Bay to be a welcoming, accessible, and affordable place for all. 

Instead of attracting mid- to high-income families or individuals from southern Ontario who are already in the housing market to sell their house and buy in Thunder Bay (effectively driving up house prices here), how can we better support and incentivize local renters to enter in the housing market? How can we ensure all individuals in Thunder Bay are securely housed, regardless of their income? 

People who choose to live and work in Thunder Bay—whether you’ve been here your whole life or you’ve recently located here—must grapple with the conflicting realities of life in the north. Ultimately, the price, value, and worth of living in Canada’s most affordable city are not the same for everyone.