Annual Report

On behalf of the City of Kenora’s more than 250 hardworking and dedicated staff, we are pleased to present this 2025 Annual Report highlighting the progress and accomplishments achieved over the past year. Through the dedication of our Council, staff, community partners, and residents, we have continued to advance initiatives that strengthen our organization and enhance the quality of services we provide.

In this document, we not only recognize the work that we undertake daily in our various departments, but it is an opportunity to highlight key achievements that have taken place over the year.

Despite changing economic conditions and increasing service demands, our team remained focused on operational efficiency, and delivering reliable services to our community.

Council provides Administration direction through annual operating and capital budgets which include many special projects in any given year. This Council direction aligns activities, priorities and initiatives set out in our 2022-2027 Strategic Plan – Charting Our Course and our various other guiding documents while meeting service levels and legislated requirements.

Several key initiatives were successfully implemented, including improvements to infrastructure, enhancements to community programs, and continued investments in organizational capacity. These accomplishments and initiatives highlighted throughout the report can only be achieved with the support of Council and actions under the direction of our Senior Leadership Team and our staff.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to responsible financial management, sustainable growth, and continuous improvement in service delivery. By building on the momentum of the past year, we will continue working together to address emerging challenges and create opportunities for long-term success.

As Interim CAOs, we thank Council for its leadership and guidance, our staff for their dedication and hard work, and our community members for their ongoing support and engagement.

Together, we will continue building a strong and resilient future.

Sincerely,
Stace Gander and Heather Pihulak
Interim Co-CAOs
Mayor Andrew Poirier
City of Kenora

As Mayor for the City of Kenora, it is my pleasure to present the 2025 Annual Report, which highlights the progress our community has made and the work we continue to do together. Over the past year, our municipality has remained focused on building a strong, resilient, and vibrant community for everyone who lives, works, and visits Kenora.

This report reflects the dedication of our Council, municipal staff, community partners, and residents. Through collaboration and thoughtful planning, we have continued to invest in essential infrastructure, strengthen local services, and support economic and community development initiatives that improve quality of life. Adopting our new Community Safety & Well Being Plan, establishes the priorities to make Kenora what we all know it to be; a community rich in history, nature, and people — a place where everyone can live, grow, and play together in harmony. The consultation process and community engagement throughout the development of the plan demonstrated that we are a community that deeply cares about the people who live here and the community we all call home.

While we faced challenges and difficult decisions in 2025, we have also seen meaningful achievements. From investment in infrastructure and support for new initiatives our community continues to move forward with purpose and optimism and reflecting on all we have to be proud of.

I would like to thank Council members, municipal staff, volunteers, community organizations, and residents for their commitment and contributions. Your engagement and support are essential to the success of our City. As we move into our final term of this Council, we remain committed to responsible governance, transparency, and long-term planning that ensures a strong future for generations to come.

Sincerely,
Mayor Andrew Poirier
City of Kenora

As we reflect on the milestones of 2025, Kenora City Council is filled with a sense of gratitude for the collective spirit that defines our community. This year has been a testament to what we can achieve when we work together toward a shared vision for our City.

Our progress this year is rooted in the hard work of our dedicated City staff. To the individuals who maintain our roads, manage our facilities, and provide essential services: your professionalism is the backbone of Kenora’s success. We also extend our sincere thanks to our residents, whose active participation in public life ensures that Council’s decisions truly reflect the heart of the community. To our seasonal residents and the many tourists who visited us this past year, thank you for choosing Kenora. Your presence enriches our culture and sustains our local economy. We are proud to be your home away from home.

Throughout 2025, Council moved forward with a series of strategic initiatives designed to enhance our quality of life and prepare for the future. We oversaw critical infrastructure renewals, moved projects forward to enhance public access to our lakes, and implemented programs to support local business growth and housing diversity. These actions were taken with a focus on long-term sustainability, ensuring that the natural beauty and economic health of Kenora are preserved for generations to come.

Looking to 2026, our focus remains on the continued prosperity and well-being of everyone who calls Kenora home. We are committed to building on the momentum of this past year, guided by a shared vision of a resilient and welcoming community. By staying attentive to the needs of our neighbourhoods and the health of our natural environment, we aim to ensure that Kenora remains a source of pride for all.

Sincerely, 
Kenora City Council

The Infrastructure and Operations team is responsible for delivering and maintaining the the City’s critical infrastructure and essential services that keep Kenora safe, healthy, and livable. The team consists of a range of professionals working in Roads, Underground Services, Water & Wastewater Treatment, Solid Waste & Recycling, Capital Projects delivery, Parks, Cemetery, Fleet, and Facilities.

Collectively, these teams plan and execute capital improvements, maintain transportation networks, improve and maintains roads and public spaces, manage waste, and treats and distribute clean water, while safely handling Kenora’s wastewater.

Read the accomplishments of Infrastructure and Operations, beginning on page 11 of the Annual Report.

The Recreation and Culture Department brings together a dynamic team of Recreation, Library, and Museum, and Art Centre staff to enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike. The Recreation and Culture team’s mission is to foster health, learning, creativity, and connection across the community through accessible facilities, engaging programs, and welcoming services.

The Kenora Public Library serves two branches with a robust collection of books, puzzles, and digital assets, plus engaging programs for kids and a wide range of resources and rentals. Libraries function as community hubs, offering programs that support literacy, learning, exploration, and connections to information, technology, and opportunities to participate in community life.

The Muse, comprising the Lake of the Woods Museum and the Douglas Family Art Centre, celebrates Kenora’s history, art, and culture by inspiring creativity, fostering lifelong learning, and enriching the community through engaging exhibits, programs, and events.

Read the accomplishments of the Recreation and Culture Department, beginning on page 22 of the Annual Report.

The Economic Development and Tourism Department is a passionate team that loves Kenora and works every day to make it better for residents, businesses, organizations, and visitors.

The Economic Development team help Kenora thrive by attracting new investment, supporting our local businesses, and helping to expand opportunities for workers. Focusing on key sectors such as tourism, small business, construction, health care and manufacturing, their work includes business retention and expansion, investment attraction, workforce development, downtown revitalization, and connecting owners with grants, tools and resources that foster entrepreneurship, growth, local employment and innovation.

Read the accomplishments of the Economic Development and Tourism Department, beginning on page 32 of the Annual Report.

Kenora Fire and Emergency Services provides fire protection services for the residents of the City of Kenora and neighbouring communities. Fire and Emergency Services has three fire stations and a fleet of emergency vehicles. Kenora Fire and Emergency Services wants the community to be fire safe  and is proud to provide burn permits, fire safety training, inspections, and prevention education.

Read the accomplishments of Kenora Fire and Emergency Services, beginning on page 40 of the Annual Report.

The Planning and Building Services Department is comprised of Planning, Building Inspection, and Development Services. The team plays an important role in shaping how our community grows. The department reviews land development applications, provides advice on land use, aids in future developments, and issues building permits for new projects across the community.

Planning and Building Services Department facilitates development by processing applications for land division (subdivision, condominiums and consents), land use consultation, and the issuing of building permits. The team also works with the Committee of Adjustment, which makes independent decisions on certain planning applications, and with City Council on applications for amendments to the City of Kenora Official Plan, the Zoning By-law and other applications under the Planning Act.

Read the accomplishments of the Planning and Building Services Department, beginning on page 44 of the Annual Report.

The Corporate Services Department is comprised of the City Clerk’s Office, Bylaw Enforcement, Provincial Offences, Indigenous Relations, Customer Services, Communications, Community Safety and Well-Bring, and IT services.

The Corporate Services Department provides our residents, businesses, and broader community with exceptional service that maximizes the resources provided to us by our ratepayers. We are a full-service delivery department and provide customer service support to all divisions within the organization. Our service delivery is the first point of contact connecting customers to other key divisions such as roads, water and wastewater, parks, and trails, planning and building. The Corporate Services team takes great pride in the services they deliver and continual improvement to modernization and streamlined service delivery is a priority.

Read the accomplishments of the Corporate Services Department, beginning on page 47 of the Annual Report.

The Human Resources department is responsible for developing and implementing strategies, policies, programs and practices that ensure effective, empowered and supported leadership and staff. Strong labour relations that are aligned with the City’s Unions respecting collective agreements and legislative requirements that support a positive, productive, physically and psychologically safe workplace culture is a top priority in this area.

The team provides services related to recruitment, onboarding, job evaluation and compensation, comprehensive benefits, occupational health & safety workplace wellbeing, employee relations, and labour relations.

Read the accomplishments of the Human Resources Department, beginning on page 64 of the Annual Report.

The Finance Department provides financial guidance and strategic oversight to City departments ensuring fiscal responsibility and stewardship of the City’s assets and finances. Cash flow is managed to ensure funds are available to fulfill the financial plan and provide stability while ensuring that necessary financial resources are available for long-term capital infrastructure replacement.

Read more about the Finance Department, beginning on page 66 of the Annual Report.