10/08/2026
Candidate’s Name: Jamie Scrimger
Electoral Position Running for: Councillor, Red River Ward
Diversity Thunder Bay Mission Statement and Guiding Principle:
Diversity Thunder Bay works toward an inclusive, equitable community that is free of racism and discrimination of any kind.
Diversity Thunder Bay believes that Thunder Bay should be a welcoming and safe place for individuals and groups regardless of “race”, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, class, creed, s*x, gender, gender identity, s*xual orientation, age, education, marital status, source of income, same-s*x partnership status, family status or disability.
1. a) How important to you is it to have such a community?
It is extremely important to me, as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+. I want Thunder Bay to be a community where everyone can feel safe, respected, welcomed and able to participate fully, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances.
Diversity is part of Thunder Bay, but having a diverse population does not automatically mean everyone feels included. We need to continue working toward a community where people feel they belong and where racism, discrimination or other barriers do not prevent someone from accessing services, employment, recreation or participating in community activities.
I also believe inclusion means being willing to listen to experiences that may be different from our own. We will not always agree with one another, but disagreement should never prevent us from treating each other with dignity and respect. One of the principles I have tried to bring to this campaign is that we can have difficult conversations and disagree without becoming divided.
This is also important to the future of Thunder Bay and the City’s growth. If we want people to choose Thunder Bay as a place to live, study, work, and raise a family, they need to feel that this is a community where they are welcome and can succeed.
b) How would you work towards this priority as a publicly elected official?
As a Councillor, I would approach this in both the decisions Council makes and in how I conduct myself as an elected official.
First, I would listen. Council needs to hear directly from people who experience racism, discrimination and barriers. That includes Indigenous peoples, newcomers, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, seniors, youth and others whose experiences may not always be represented in municipal decision making. Consultation also needs to be meaningful. We should be willing to hear when something is not working and then determine what can be changed.
Second, I would look at the barriers that can prevent people from participating in our community. Municipal government has influence over many of the services and spaces people interact with every day, including public transit, libraries, public spaces, and the way residents access City services. We should continually ask whether those services are accessible to the people using them.
I would also support continued collaboration with Indigenous leadership and organizations. As a hub for the North, Thunder Bay has a unique responsibility to build respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and neighbouring First Nations. Reconciliation requires ongoing relationships, listening and concrete action rather than being treated as a one time thing.
I would also support opportunities that bring people together. Community organizations, neighbourhood groups, volunteers and events all help create connections between people. The city can help by listening to these organizations, identifying barriers and finding ways to support community participation.
Finally, members of City Council set an example. I would expect respectful debate around the Council table and would hold myself to the same standard when dealing with residents, City staff and other members of Council. We can disagree strongly about policy while still being respectful to one another.
