The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) is proud to announce the launch of Welcome Home: A Guide to Thunder Bay Living (the “Welcome Guide”). Developed as part of CEDC’s Community Development Pillar, the Welcome Guide directly supports CEDC’s commitment to collaborating with community partners to strengthen welcoming and retention initiatives.
The first of its kind developed specifically for Thunder Bay, the Welcome Guide was also created in response to an action identified in the Welcoming Communities Analysis and directly advances Talent Pillar Action T2 of the City’s Smart Growth Action Plan. The guide supports new workers and their families as they settle in Thunder Bay by providing information, resources, and connections that help foster a successful and welcoming transition to the community.
” By bringing together essential information in one convenient resource, the guide fills a significant gap,” said Jamie Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission. “Relocating to a new city is one of life’s biggest transitions, and it can be overwhelming. Our goal is to make that experience less stressful by making it easier for newcomers to navigate local services, connect with the community, and settle into Thunder Bay. Helping people feel welcomed, connected and informed is an important part of attracting and retaining talent.”
Designed for anyone relocating to Thunder Bay—whether for work, education or a new opportunity—the Welcome Guide introduces readers to the community while providing the practical information they will need during their first days, weeks and months in the city.
The guide features four main sections:
- Thunder Bay Overview
- City & Services
- Shopping
- Art & Culture
Available in both print and digital formats, the Welcome Guide is designed for newcomers, as well as the employers, organizations and community partners who support their transition to Thunder Bay.
“We encourage local employers to include the Welcome Guide as part of their onboarding process for new employees,” added Taylor. “Whether someone is moving from another city, province or country, having reliable local information readily available can make a meaningful difference in helping them feel at home. We also encourage residents and community organizations to share the guide with anyone who is new to Thunder Bay.”
The launch of the Welcome Guide is part of the Thunder Bay CEDC’s ongoing efforts to support workforce attraction and retention by helping newcomers connect with the community and access the information they need to build successful lives in Thunder Bay.
Digital copies of the guide are available at gotothunderbay.ca/live, and printed copies can be obtained through the Thunder Bay CEDC.
