Thunder Bay City Manager Norm Gale announces retirement

After eight years in the role, Thunder Bay City Manager Norm Gale is retiring.

Gale made the announcement at the start of Monday's city council meeting, saying he'll remain in the role until the end of June 2024.

"I think one of the one of the most important tricks of leadership is knowing when to go," Gale said after the meeting. "I've been in public service for over 40 years, and it's been quite a career, whether it was the Canadian Army Reserve, being a paramedicfrontlineparamedicleadership, and then city manager."

"There's been a lot there, and I've been privileged to be able to be in the public service, and to do things that help our community. And it's it's my honour, but it's also time."

Gale who was chief of Superior North EMS prior to being hired as city manager said one thing he was especially proud of during his time as city manager was the city's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"What we had to do during the pandemic was hard work," he said. "It had to be done quickly. It had to be done with often little knowledge, little context, little evidence."

"That didn't just apply to us, of course, it applied to basically everybody, but that jumps out right away."

But, Gale said he's most proud of the opportunity the role gave him to work alongside other leaders at the city.

"I sure do enjoy spending time with the leaders in the corporation," he said. "That includes elected officials. It includes the leaders of the executive management team and other leaders in the corporation, and the people who work for Thunder Bay who deliver programs and services that people rely on, that they demand and that they need."

Busy months ahead

Gale said he didn't have any firm plans for post-June life, but he was quick to point out he wouldn't be moving on to another role.

"I will confirm that I am not moving on to another job, nor am I seeking another executive job in the community," he said. "I do intend to retire, but I also hope to in other wayscontinue to contribute to our community and totry to do some good things and fun things."

But retirement is still several very-busy months away, Gale said.

"I intend to work hard until the very last day," he said. "There are several big things that need to happen between now and then. That includes, of course, delivering a 2024 budget for the city of Thunder Bay."

"It includes delivering on the strategic plan, which is in process now, and best positioning the city for more houses, more homes. Also running the corporation which is a full time job in itself and helping City Council and administration transition to a new city manager."

Mixed emotions

Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds, who's been on council for Gale's entire eight years as city manager, said the announcement prompted some mixed emotions.

"He's made a huge decision, and I know it wasn't an easy one for him," Foulds said. "But he has a wonderful family and I think that that weighed heavy on his mind, andI think he's gonna have a a really wonderful opportunity spending more time with his family."

But, Foulds added, he has a "deep, deep respect" for Gale.

"He has absolutely no issue having conversations that are difficult, andyou know that his counsel is sound," Foulds said. "You ask a question, he gives you a response, and he'll give you this response that maybe you don't necessarily want to hear."

"But he'll give you his sound professional opinion based on science and based on evidence, which is tremendous. I mean, I have a great deal of respect for that. So I'm going to miss that aspect too."

As for the search for a new city manager, Foulds said the process is a robust one.

"Ittakes some time, and I think we should take our time," he said. "We shouldn't rush it because those are big shoes, both figuratively and literally, to fill."

"The demands are significant, the responsibilities are immense and the duty is large," Foulds said. "We need to attract an all star, and I'm really hoping we do."