Media Releases

The City of Kenora, in collaboration with the Northwestern Health Unit, Kenora Makwa Patrol, the All-Nations Health Partners-Ontario Health Team, Lake of the Woods District Hospital - Mental Health and Addictions Program, and Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig (WNHAC), is excited to announce the launch of a Needle Disposal Pilot Project for 2026.

The City of Kenora is pleased to announce that on Thursday, December 4, 2025, it successfully reached a new five-year collective agreement with the Kenora Professional Firefighters Association (KPFFA).

The City of Kenora’s 2026 utility budgets and capital budget were approved during a Regular Meeting of Council on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Council met on December 5 and December 9 to review and amend the draft 2026 utility and capital budgets. Council and Administration held detailed discussions on the draft budgets identifying the needs and priorities of the City.

The Kenora OPP will have a dedicated holiday patrol in the Harbourtown Centre for the month of December between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

City of Kenora Fire and Emergency Services is launching the Annual 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign to remind Kenora’s residents to take proper fire safety precautions and stay fire safe this holiday season.

The City is excited to provide an update on its application to be the host community for the first season of Home Town Takeover Canada. This upcoming season will film in 2026 and include a transformation period where HGTV designers and builders renovate homes, businesses, and public spaces in a chosen community of under 20,000 people.

The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Implementation Committee, is excited to announce the launch of a new Progress Dashboard.

Residential recycle blue box programs across Ontario continue to move to a collection system that is 100 percent funded and operated by producers of packaging and paper products. Starting in January, Kenora will transition to an enhanced recycling system operated by Circular Materials. Recycling will be even more convenient in Kenora with a new recycling cart and a standardized list of what can be recycled across Ontario.

Tim Welch Consulting Inc. (TWC) presented Council with the findings of the comprehensive Housing Needs Study at the November 20, 2025, Committee of the Whole meeting. The Summative Report provides a high level summary of the reports findings and includes a precise, local view of Kenora’s housing supply, affordability, and future needs.

The City of Kenora’s Economic Development and Tourism Department is turning up the festive energy with a dynamic holiday campaign designed to celebrate, support, and spotlight our vibrant local businesses and community.