Apply to be on the Waterfront District BIA Board of Management

Are you interested in helping shape the future of the Waterfront District?

The Waterfront District BIA is seeking members interested in serving on the Waterfront District BIA Board of Management for the upcoming four-year term.

If you are interested in applying, both application forms must be completed:

• Waterfront District BIA Board of Management Application
• Application for Appointment to a City of Thunder Bay Committee, Board or Commission

 

Applicants must complete both the Waterfront District BIA application and the City of Thunder Bay application form and submit them to the Waterfront District BIA. The City application requires applicants to outline the skills and experience they would bring to the Board and include a resume or letter of support of no more than three pages.

At the AGM, the BIA membership will vote on the individuals recommended for the Board. After the vote, the BIA Board will email the successful nominees’ completed applications, along with a Board Appointment Memorandum, to the City of Thunder Bay Clerk’s Office for formal appointment by City Council, as required under the Municipal Act, 2001.

Who Can Apply?

Under the Municipal Act, 2001, members of a Business Improvement Area include persons who are assessed with respect to qualifying business property within the improvement area and tenants of that property.

The Waterfront District BIA’s Operating Procedures provide that the Board of Management consists of no fewer than eight and no more than eleven members, including one member of Council. The remaining directors are selected by a vote of the BIA membership and appointed by the municipality. Board members must be members of the Waterfront District BIA and cannot be staff employed by the Waterfront District BIA.

The Board is a volunteer Board of Management, and members are expected to positively contribute their time, knowledge and experience to the work of the BIA and to participate in Board meetings and activities, leaving personal interests behind to make the Waterfront District an overall better place to do business.

Application and Nomination Process

The 2026 Board election is being held as part of the transition to the new four-year term of the Board, which runs concurrently with the term of the appointing City Council.

The Waterfront District BIA’s Nomination Subcommittee oversees the nomination process and will present the list of individuals wishing to serve on the Board. Following the close of nominations, a vote will be held at the AGM to determine the individuals recommended to City Council for appointment.

Application deadlines:

October 9, 2026: First round of applications due
November 2, 2026: Final nomination/application deadline

The November 2 deadline is the final deadline for nominations and applications and is set at least 10 days before the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the Waterfront District BIA Operating Procedures.

Applicants who submit an application may be contacted by the Waterfront District BIA Nomination Committee regarding the nomination process. The BIA’s application form provides opportunity applicants to participate in a brief interview with a member of the BIA Nomination Committee.

Important

Submitting an application does not guarantee appointment to the Board.
The BIA membership will vote on the individuals to make up the BIA Board, and the successful nominees will then be submitted to the City of Thunder Bay for formal appointment by City Council, as required under the Municipal Act, 2001.

Both application forms must be completed for an application to be considered complete.

Please submit the completed application forms to:
thewaterfrontdistrict@tbaytel.net or deliver to 204 Red River Road – Unit 213, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1A4

The Waterfront District BIA Board will submit the completed applications and Board Appointment Memorandum to the City of Thunder Bay Clerk’s Office after the AGM vote, as part of the appointment process.

Please ensure both applications are submitted to the Waterfront District BIA by the applicable deadlines above. The Waterfront District AGM will be hosted on November 12, 2026.