Meet Your City Council

Office: (807) 625-3600
Email: ken.boshcoff@thunderbay.ca

Ken Boshcoff is the tenth Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay and a member of the 2022-2026 City Council.

Ken is a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, and was first elected in 1979. He served as Councillor until 1997, when he was elected Mayor and served until 2003. Ken returned to City Council again in 2010-2014 to serve as Councillor At Large. Ken has been involved in Municipal issues serving on many boards and volunteering continuously for numerous organizations. Ken is the only Mayor who has been President of Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ontario Good Roads Association.

He has represented his City on numerous civic committees and boards, and is well known among many community groups for his volunteer work and leadership. Ken is very proud of his many initiatives including Crime Stoppers, 9-1-1, Friendship Games, Neighbourhood Watch, Women’s Shelters and Community Policing. He’s particularly proud of his early work in environmental stewardship and many eco-friendly programs, especially recycling. Ken was proud to initiate “The Mayor’s Walkabout” which fostered relationships with Indigenous and community groups, as well as city employees. Ken is extremely proud to have assisted with the launch of Leadership Thunder Bay and its significant role in training future leaders.

Ken advocated and fundraised for the Regional Hospital and Medical School, as well as Chairing and serving on many boards such as the Royal Canadian Mint, the CNIB, the Airport Authority and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Ken is also proud of his years as an MP for Thunder Bay – Rainy River, where he Chaired the Parliamentary Committee of Persons with Disabilities and worked hard on developing the Province of Ontario’s first Disability Act. He further represented Canada at several international conferences on environmental and peace endeavors.

Ken attended Lakehead University receiving his Honours in Political Science and Economics, and later graduated from York University with his Masters in Environmental Studies and Systems Planning.

Current boards and committees:

• Standing Committees: Finance and Administration, Growth, and Quality of Life
• Anti-Racism & Equity Advisory Committee
• Community Safety & Well Being Advisory Committee
• Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee
• Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors
• Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association
• Ontario Big City Mayors
• Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission
• Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
• Thunder Bay District Board of Health
• Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board
• Thunder Bay Police Services Board

Each year, the Mayor goes to many special events in the City. Invite the Mayor to your event or request formal written greetings.

Cell: (807) 631-9488
Email: Rajni.Agarwal@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Rajni Agarwal was born and raised in Northern Ontario. Her career and business knowledge is very diverse. She and her family have been in business in Thunder Bay since 1976. She is a Realtor, Land Developer, Restauranteur, an International Marketer for Experiential Learning and a Property Manager.

She is a daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many. She and her family call Thunder Bay their home and want to see it prosper for our future and those who come after us. She is proud to represent our great City and to be your voice on Council.

Current boards and committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Standing Committee on Growth
• Tbaytel/Synergy North Recruitment
• Thunder Bay District Municipal League
• Fort William BIA
• Lakehead University Board of Governors

Cell: (807) 629-7531
Email: albert.aiello@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Albert Aiello was born and raised in Thunder Bay and proud of the City we all call home. He has been with the Boys & Girls Club of Thunder Bay for 29 years, and the Executive Director of the organization since 2001. He was instrumental in creating the City’s first Community Hub in the Boys & Girls Club.

He strongly believes that results can be maximized through collaboration and partnerships. He is committed to ensuring that children and youth have appropriate facilities in which to play, grow, and have fun.

He has played hockey at various levels and coached a variety of teams in hockey and soccer. He is a graduate of the inaugural Leadership Thunder Bay program. He is married to wife Lee; together they have a daughter, Sabrina and son, Baldino.

Current boards and committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Standing Committee on Finance and Administration
• Lakehead Region Conservation Authority
• Tbaytel/Synergy North Recruitment
• Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board

Vice Chair, Standing Committee on Finance and Administration

Cell: (807) 628-6910
Email: mark.bentz@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Mark Bentz is currently serving his fifth term on City Council and is the Chair of Administrative Services which includes the City’s Annual Budget. Mark has been actively engaged in community development over the past three decades having been an executive member of the Fort City Kinsmen, a Trustee on the Lakehead Board of Education, both a Ward and At-Large City Councillor and as a member or Director of numerous committees and boards serving the citizens of Thunder Bay.

Having degrees in both Physics and Education, Mark has enjoyed a varied career in high-tech spanning nuclear research and development, automation design and troubleshooting, technical sales and marketing as well as education. Mark is currently a professor at Confederation College’s School of Aviation, Engineering Technology and Trades.

Mark’s commitment to a transparent, progressive and fiscally responsible local government is what motivates him to offer his services to the community and has contributed to his being elected to various offices in Thunder Bay since 1994.

Current Boards and Committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Standing Committee on Finance and Administration
• Chair, Standing Committee on Finance and Administration

Cell: (807) 708-1983
Email: shelby.chng@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Shelby Ch’ng is currently serving her third term on City Council as an At-Large Councillor, having first been elected in 2014 to the Northwood Ward for two terms. She holds an HBA in Political Science from Lakehead University. She is an advocate for quality infrastructure, community engagement and communication, urban density and attracting and retaining a young workforce to our city. She is an active member of council and sits on many boards and committees.

Memberships

• Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
• Thunder Pride

Current boards and committees (Council 2022 - 2026)

• Standing Committee on Quality of Life
• Elders Advisory Committee
• Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• Thunder Bay Police Services Board

Past boards and committees (Council 2014 - 2022)

• Member - Thunder Bay Police Services Board
• Chair - 50th Anniversary Steering Committee
• Board Member – Northern Ontario Municipal Association
• Member – Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• Chair – Community Services
• Chair – Community Communications Committee
• Board Member – Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board
• Audit Committee
• Board Member – Community Economic Development Commission
• Vice Chair – Planning
• Crime Prevention Council Committee
• South Core Safety Task Force
• Age Friendly Steering Committee
• Recreation and Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee
• Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Quality of Life

Follow her work on Facebook - Shelby Ch’ng and Instagram - Councillor Shelby Ch’ng.

Visit www.shelbychng.com for more information.

Cell: (807) 631-9942
Email: Kasey.Etreni@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Kasey Etreni is serving her first term as Councillor-at-Large on City Council and is keen to serve the residents of our community. Born and raised in Thunder Bay, she has a Bachelor of Science, Honors Standing from Western Michigan University.

Kasey is newly retired from her professional career as a Charge Radiation Therapist in our city’s Cancer Care program for over 35 years. Her career included research (personal and institutional), speaking engagements, authoring a course, and serving on numerous hospital committees.

She has volunteered with professional and non-profit organizations at municipal, provincial and national levels and at different levels of governance. She thrives on process, policy and procedure development, governance, and evidence-based decisions. She strongly believes that results can be maximized through collaboration and partnerships.

She is married to her husband Alf; together they have two daughters, Brooklyn, and Kayla.

Current Boards and Committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Standing Committee on Growth
• Community Safety & Well-Being
• Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board
• Thunder Bay District Board of Health
• Thunder Bay Police Board
• Age Friendly Thunder Bay
• Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Growth

Residence: (807) 766-9914
Email: andrew.foulds@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Andrew Foulds is serving his fifth term as a city councillor for Current River Ward in Thunder Bay. He takes a passionate interest in issues such as: poverty, economic development, parks, recreation, arts/culture and the environment – especially climate adaptation.

He is currently a teacher of Biology, at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute. Prior to joining the Westgate CVI Staff, he taught and was the Vice Principal at Thunder Bay’s Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Hillcrest High School, Port Arthur Collegiate and Hammarskjold High Schools.

He began teaching in Arctic Bay on Baffin Island (where he was also appointed Deputy Fire Chief). He returned to Thunder Bay in the fall of 1998 where he was born and raised.

He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1996 with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree and from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1997.

He is driven to serve and has profound commitment to public service. He is serving on the following boards and committees: Waterfront Business Improvement Area, District Social Services, Earthcare Advisory Committee, Lakehead Conservation Authority, Youth, Community and Cultural Appeals Committee, Library and has been very active in the OSSTF and the Thunder Bay Labour Council.

From an early age, he has been passionate about sports including soccer, baseball and, most especially, swimming. His longstanding involvement in swimming took him to provincial, national and international championships. He was captain of the U of T Varsity Blues swim team for two years.

The eldest son of Jim and Judy Foulds, Councillor Foulds was born in 1972 at the Port Arthur General Hospital.

He loves to go camping and fishing with their three children – Alex, Luke, and Matthew

Current boards and committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Standing Committee on Quality of Life
• Speaker, City Council
• Waterfront District BIA

Cell: (807) 628-4790
Email: trevor.giertuga@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor at Large, is a life-long resident of Thunder Bay and third generation resident of the McIntyre Ward. He is married to Chelsea and has a daughter Madison. His son Travis passed away tragically in 2022, his family will forever grieve their loss. He is currently employed at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, as the Deputy Superintendent of Programs, and has previously owned a small business in the McIntyre Ward. This is Councillor Giertuga's sixth consecutive term on City Council, having first been elected in 2000.

Councillor Giertuga firmly believes in being accessible and accountable to his constituents, and he accomplishes this through constituent site visits, by promptly returning calls, by following through with issues raised, and by making wise thoughtful decisions on behalf of the taxpayers of Thunder Bay. He encourages citizens to contact him regarding any concerns they may have on all city matters. Councillor Giertuga has a deep love for Thunder Bay and is committed to making our city a more vibrant, inviting, inclusive and safe one. He continually fights to strike an appropriate balance between keeping taxes low and maintaining the level of city services constituents rightfully expect.

Current Boards & Committees (Council 2018-2022)

• Lakehead Region Conservation Authority
• Sister Cities
• Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
• Past Boards & Committees:
• Appeals Committee, Community, Youth & Cultural Funding Program
• Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
• Chair for Committee of the Whole Planning Session
• Chair for In-Camera Committee of the Whole meetings
• Canadian Lakehead Exhibition
• Thunder Bay Hydro Corporation Board
• Thunder Bay Parking Authority
• Chair for Committee of the Whole, Administrative Services Session
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit
• Thunder Bay District Health Council
• Thunder Bay Crime Prevention Council
• Victoria Ave BIA
• Victoriaville Board of Management
• Intergovernmental Committee
• Sister Cities Committee

Chair, Operations Session: Councillor Trevor Giertuga

Cell: (807) 251-2551
Email: brian.hamilton@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Brian Hamilton was elected in 2018 on a platform of fairness, downtown revitalization and value for tax dollars. He is past president of the Bay & Algoma Business District where he helped establish the city’s first Buskers Festival. As a long time small business employer Hamilton brings a wealth of experience in economic growth, workforce development and fiscal stewardship. Hamilton is also a member of the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board advocating for investments that support the region’s most vulnerable citizens.

Hamilton continues to be a strong voice for community safety initiatives and often volunteers at neighbourhood youth programs. He believes in robust civic engagement and transparency holding many community meetings throughout the year.

Hamilton is an avid runner and enjoys spending quality time with his family in the beautiful parks of Thunder Bay.

You can reach Brian 7 days a week by phone or email.

Current Boards & Committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Standing Committee on Finance and Administration
• Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission
• Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board

Past Boards & Committees (Council 2018-2022)

• Thunder Bay District Social Services Board
• Parking Authority Board
• Fort William BIA & Waterfront District BIA
• Communications Committee

Cell: (807) 707-9973
Email: Greg.Johnsen@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Greg Johnsen was born and raised in Thunder Bay and has been a resident of the Neebing Ward since 2011.

He has been employed with the Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board since 2000. He holds a Master of Arts, History. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Thunder Bay Museum.

Aside from being a local historian, he is an advocate for anti-racism and environmentalism in our beautiful city. He is proud to represent the residents of Neebing Ward.

Current boards and committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Anti-Racism & Equity
• Heritage Advisory Committee
• Lakehead Region Conservation Authority
• Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board
• Deputy Speaker, City Council

Cell: (807) 627-2036
Email: kristen.oliver@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Kristen Oliver is in her second term as City Councillor for the Westfort Ward. She is also the Senior Advisor - Municipal & Stakeholder Engagement for Enbridge. Prior to working with Enbridge, Kristen was the executive director of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), and honed her political skills working with both orders of the provincial and municipal government.

A graduate of Confederation College, Kristen was pleased to return to her alma mater to serve as a Board of Governor. A dedicated member of her community, Kristen has offered her skills in assisting many important volunteer organizations. She is past president of Leadership Thunder Bay, a role that helped define her as a community builder.

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Kristen and her husband Rick are raising their two sons in the neighbourhood where they grew up. While she definitely enjoys the warmth and fun that summer brings, come winter, she is a dedicated hockey mom and can be found cheering on her boys at one of the many rinks in Thunder Bay.

Kristen is very engaged with the Westfort ward, and encourages her constituents to contact her at anytime to discuss issues or concerns.

Current boards and committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Standing Committee on Quality of Life
• Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association
• Past boards and committees (Council 2018-2022)
• Police Services Board
• Thunder Bay District Board of Health
• Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee
• Earthcare Advisory Committee
• Appeals Committee - Community and Cultural Funding
• Thunder Bay Crime Prevention Council
• Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy

Chair, Standing Committee on Quality of Life

Cell: (807) 631-0829
Email: Dominic.Pasqualino@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Dominic Pasqualino has worked at the Can Car / Bombardier / Alstom plan for 35 years representing Unifor Local 1075 as their President for 11 years. His previous career was at Great Lakes Forest Products as scaler in the Woodland Division. He is licenced as a Red Seal Machinist.

He has been married for more than 39 years and has two children and one grandchild. He is active in the community, walking more than 6-8 miles every day, year round. He is an active automotive enthusiast, specializing in restoring and racing classic cars.

He is honoured to represent the residents of Northwood for this term of Council.

Current boards and committees (Council 2022 - 2026)

• Standing Committee on Growth
• Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• Tbaytel/Synergy North Recruitment
• Thunder Bay District Municipal League (alternate)
• Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board

Residence: (807) 631-6253
Email: michael.zussino@thunderbay.ca

Councillor Zussino has been a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, living in the Red River Ward his entire life.

He graduated from Lakehead University (B.Sc. & B.Ed.) and has been employed as an educator with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board for the past 25 years.

He enjoys organizing quiz night fundraising events for local charities. He like to be physically active by participating in some of the many recreational activities that the city has to offer.

He is honoured to be representing the residents of the Red River Ward for this term of Council.

Current Boards & Committees (Council 2022-2026)

• Standing Committee on Finance and Administration
• Tbaytel/Synergy North Recruitment
• Thunder Bay Public Library