Thunder Bay Today's News Roundup: New pedestrian signals installed, schools focus on math scores, snowmobile trails receive 'lifesaving funds'

On December 10, 2025, local news in Thunder Bay focused on "safety and livelihood" on one hand: multiple new pedestrian signals were officially activated, and the school board announced "math first" after the latest EQAO results were released; on the other hand, it revolved around "winter and long-term development": snowmobile trails received unexpected funding to avoid large-scale closures, the city hired consultants to comprehensively assess the future of municipal ice rinks and Fort William Gardens, and an Indigenous community's multi-million-dollar investment in First Nations Bank was also seen as an important signal of regional economic and financial autonomy. Meanwhile, the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign was still short of its goal by $149,000 and urgently recruiting volunteers, and a fatal stabbing case entered the sentencing phase.

1. City Traffic: Multiple New Pedestrian Signals Put into Use

The city announced that multiple newly built signalized pedestrian crossings have been officially activated to further improve pedestrian crossing safety. According to reports, at one of the installation sites, the City of Thunder Bay counted an average of about 113 pedestrians using the crossing facility, showing that pedestrian traffic at these intersections has been high over the long term, and the new signals are seen as a key step to "fill the safety gap."

2. Charity Fundraising Tight: Salvation Army Christmas Kettle $149,000 Short of Goal

With only two weeks left until Christmas, the Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle campaign is still about $149,000 short of its annual goal. The agency's head said fundraising is currently behind expectations and is urgently calling for more volunteers to stand guard, ring bells, and help watch over donation kettles, so as to cover more malls and high-traffic areas during peak shopping hours.

3. Education Focus Shifts to Math: New EQAO Assessment Reveals Structural Problem of "Strong Literacy, Weak Math"

The latest elementary school test results released by EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) show that among the two local school boards, more than 80% of Grade 6 students met the provincial standard in reading and writing, but their math performance lagged significantly and did not reach the same level.

4. Snowmobile Trails Get "Pleasant Surprise": Funding Secured, Thousands of Kilometers of Trails Avoid Closure This Winter

A piece of news described by local snowmobilers as "amazing news" concerns new funding arrangements for snowmobile trails: reports indicate that an unexpected injection of funds means that the "tens of thousands of kilometers" of snowmobile trails in the region that might otherwise have closed this winter will be able to remain open and maintained.

5. The Future of Ice Rinks and Fort William Gardens: City Hires Consultants to Assess "Network Overhaul"

In terms of long-term municipal infrastructure planning, the city has decided to hire consultants to conduct a systematic study of Thunder Bay's arena network. Reports mention that this assessment will include multiple ice rinks and Fort William Gardens, and will consider options including: finding an alternative venue plan for Fort William Gardens, consolidating some facilities, and even considering closing or merging older rinks under certain conditions.

6. Indigenous Economic Strategy: Wabigoon Lake Invests $12.8 Million in First Nations Bank

Another important economic news story comes from the regional Indigenous community. Reports indicate that Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation has invested $12.8 million in First Nations Bank of Canada, making it one of the bank's six major shareholders.

7. Judicial Progress: Fatal Stabbing Case Enters Sentencing Phase, Defense Requests 6-Year Sentence

In the judicial field, a sentencing hearing was held today for a fatal stabbing case. Reports indicate that Matthew Scavarelli was previously found responsible for a stabbing incident in 2023 that led to the death of a 33-year-old man, and the focus of this hearing is on what length of sentence should be imposed.