In 1965, the Lakehead Chamber of Commerce was founded by the merger of the Port Arthur Board of Trade (1885-1965) and the Fort William Chamber of Commerce (1891-1965.) The two entities voluntarily came together under the Board of Trade Act (1964). In 1970, the City of Thunder Bay was founded, amalgamating the City of Fort William and the City of Port Arthur. The Lakehead Chamber of Commerce likewise was renamed as the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization, working to build and support a local business community.
The Fort William Chamber of Commerce was first founded as the Kaministikwia Club in 1879, out of tensions between the early communities of Prince Arthur's Landing and Fort William, particularly regarding rail infrastructure. They renamed as the Fort William Chamber of Commerce in 1930. The Port Arthur Board of Trade was founded in 1885 and was renamed the Port Arthur Board of Trade in 1922.
Sources
- Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. About the Chamber. https://www.tbchamber.ca/about/
- Archeon. Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce fonds. https://www.archeion.ca/the-thunder-bay-chambers-of-commerce-fonds
The City of Thunder Bay was established in 1970, by the amalgamation of the Cities of Fort William and Port Arthur, the Township of Neebing, and the Township of McIntyre. Suggestions of amalgamation had been made for decades; the process began in the mid 1960s and culminated in a provincial Act.
The region's settlement by Europeans had begun during the fur trade in the late 17th century, and increased significantly in the 19th century, which also saw the establishment of Municipalities of Fort William and Port Arthur. The name "Thunder Bay" is the longstanding name of the bay on Lake Superior, framed by the Sleeping Giant Peninsula. The name "The Lakehead" also frequently used, refers to the location at the beginning of the Great Lakes shipping route.
Thunder Bay as a City has been shaped by industry: mining, forestry, and the shipment of grain from Western Canada through the St. Lawrence Seaway have all been key to the local economy.
Statistics Canada estimates that as of July 1, 2024, there were 133,063 people living in the Thunder Bay Census Metropolitan Area.
Sources
- Archeon. City of Thunder Bay fonds. https://www.archeion.ca/city-of-thunder-bay-fonds
- VIAF. Thunder Bay (ON.). https://viaf.org/en/viaf/151298533
- Wikipedia. Thunder Bay. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay
- City of Thunder Bay: History of Amalgamation. https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/history-of-amalgamation.aspx
The Canadian Association of University Teachers is an organization made up of academic staff associations at public universities and colleges in Canada. The Association supports the work of local academic staff organizations in their bargaining, grievance, and related work. The Association also works to bring awareness to issues facing the postsecondary education sector.
CAUT was founded in 1951. As of 2025, it represents staff at 130 universities and colleges, including Lakehead University.
The Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) was founded in 1897. The organization provided women with information and education in domestic science, particularly supporting their work and learning in rural areas. Over the years, the Women's Institute branches raised money to support wartime efforts, and supported youth programs, public health, and environmental issues. Local branches may do their own work and keep their own records under the auspices of the FWIO.
The FWIO was founded by Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, and Erland Lee with the support of his wife Janet Lee. Hoodless’ passion for the FWIO is due to the tragic death of her 14-month-old son from contaminated milk, in 1889. She advocated for education regarding proper hygiene in homemaking for girls and women. Hoodless met with Erland Lee at the Farmers' Institute meeting in Stoney Creek, Ontario, in 1897. A week later, Hoodless organized the first meeting for the Women's Institute, with 101 women and 1 man (Lee) present.
The Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario were run by rural Ontario women. The FWIO went on to promote rights and education for girls and women in rural and small-town areas, supporting healthy living for children. Today the FWIO still carries out their historical missions. They work nationally and internationally for social change for all women.
Sources
- Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario. Our History. https://fwio.on.ca/wi_history.php
- Wikidata. Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19877856
- Wikipedia. Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federated_Women%27s_Institutes_of_Ontario
- Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario. “Handbook.” https://fwio.on.ca/docs/Handbook-Final-Word_10-23-12.pdf
Catholic health care provider based in Thunder Bay. The St. Joseph's Care Group operates a rehabilitative care hospital, two long-term care homes, seniors' supportive living, mental health supportive housing, live-in and day treatment for addictions, withdrawal management, and virtual care.
The Lakehead Social Planning Council (LSPC) was founded in 1963. The LSPC is a non-profit, non-partisan, charitable organization.
The LSPC aims to support marginalized groups in Northern Ontario who are facing inequalities. It works within local, provincial and federal networks. The LSPC primarily works to reduce poverty and financial illiteracy. For example, it aims to reduce and find solutions for people at risk of homelessness. In 2008, it founded the “2-1-1 Helpline;” it supports a variety of communities with resources, such as homelessness and emergency services.
One notable former executive director is Margaret Phillips (1931-2015), whose records are held at Lakehead University Archives.
Sources
- City of Thunder Bay. Margaret Phillips. https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/margaret-phillips.aspx
- Lakehead Social Planning Council. History of the LSPC. https://www.lspc.ca/who-we-are/history-of-the-lspc/
- Lakehead University Archive. Margaret Phillips. https://archives.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/margaret-phillips-fonds
The Lakehead Social History Institute is a partnership between historical researchers at Lakehead University and members of the Thunder Bay community. Active since 1997, the Institute supports and promotes historical research in the Northwestern Ontario region. The Institute facilitates research, trains new researchers, disseminates information about historical resources, conducts workshops, assists educational and community organizations, supports historical publications, and encourages local groups to preserve archival materials.
Suomi Koti of Thunder Bay was established in 1984, to provide housing for seniors, especially those from the local Finnish-Canadian community. The building was opened to tenants in 1988.