Residents who couldn’t make it to City Hall earlier this week can now catch up on civic business from the comfort of their own homes via Youtube.

The City of Thompson has officially posted the recording of the January 12, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council and Public Hearing, making it available for on-demand viewing as of Thursday.

Based on the details, here is the breakdown of the meeting:

Puziko Secondary Plan

• Approval Process: Council passed the second and third readings of Bylaw 2060-2025 to adopt the Puziko Secondary Plan, effectively repealing the previous Yale-Newman Secondary Plan.
• Plan Details: The plan designates the area for mixed-use development, including low-rise and mid-rise residential housing (excluding single-detached homes), commercial spaces, and community facilities like a potential First Nation Heritage Center.
• Purpose: The development aims to address housing needs, provide economic opportunities, and foster partnerships with the Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC), which is spearheading the project.

Zoning Bylaw Amendments

• Retail Sales Store: Council gave first reading to Bylaw 2061-2026, which proposes adding “Retail Sales Store” as a permitted use in the Light Industrial Zone. This amendment was requested by a property owner looking to open a retail store in an area where it was previously not explicitly permitted. A public hearing is scheduled for February 9.
• Place of Worship: Council gave first reading to Bylaw 2062-2026, proposing to add “Place of Worship” as a permitted use in the Residential High Density Zone. This change accommodates an existing church on Crescent Drive that wishes to expand its building footprint, which triggered the need to comply with current zoning bylaws.

City Management & Operations

• Asset Management: Council passed the first reading of Bylaw 2063-2026, the Corporate Asset Management Bylaw. This establishes a framework for managing city infrastructure assets, ensuring financial sustainability, and meeting provincial reporting requirements for future funding eligibility.
• Stewardship & Resilience: Council passed the first reading of Bylaw 2064-2026, the Thompson True Stewardship and Resilience Bylaw. This bylaw focuses on managing climate-related risks and investing in sustainable community assets.
• Fee and Fine Schedule: Council approved the 2026 Fee and Fine Schedule, which includes updates to various municipal charges.
• Alert Manitoba: Council approved participation in the Alert Manitoba program, a public alerting system for emergencies. The program is free for municipalities, and city staff will undergo training to issue alerts.

Community & Economic Development

• Digital Billboard: Council approved a request from R2 Capital Partners to install an electronic billboard at the City Centre Mall, subject to a variance and conditions regarding future road widening needs.
• Fire Hall Design: Council authorized administration to enter into a contribution agreement with the Manitoba Grow Fund. The city has been approved for $1,012,500 to fund the design of a new fire and emergency services facility.
• Spirit Way Presentation: Volker Beckmann presented his new book documenting the history of Spirit Way Inc. and highlighted outstanding projects, including the need to refresh wolf statues, repaint the float plane, and potentially host a wildlife film festival. He urged the city to continue these tourism initiatives.

About The Author

Emma Kelly

Emma Kelly is the Senior Reporter for The Thompson News, bringing over 15 years of journalism experience to Northern Manitoba. Based in the province, she holds a First-Class Honours degree in Business Studies from the University of Ulster and a postgraduate diploma in Accounting.

Emma specializes in municipal politics, community development, and the social issues shaping Thompson. She is dedicated to transparent, balanced reporting that keeps the community informed.

Contact her at emma@thethompsonnews.ca.