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Thunder Bay, Ontario (April 29, 2025) – Tbaytel is pleased to announce the release of its 2024 Community Report, which centers on the theme "Shaping the Community Together." This year’s report highlights Tbaytel’s continued commitment to fostering growth, enhancing connectivity, and strengthening its relationships with local organizations and residents in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas.
In 2024, Tbaytel made substantial strides in expanding its 5G wireless network and providing fibre internet to more homes and businesses in Thunder Bay and rural areas. These efforts are aimed at empowering local residents and businesses with the digital tools they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
Tbaytel’s total revenue for 2024 was $223 million with 57% of the revenue coming from wireless. The continued positive financial performance can be attributed to our loyal customer base, the expansion of our service offerings and the continued demand for fibre and mobile services across the region.
As a municipally owned organization, Tbaytel reinvests its financial success back into the City of Thunder Bay. The revenue generated by the company supports growth and the local economy, with a total fixed and performance dividend of $19.5 million to the City of Thunder Bay that ultimately reduces local property tax bills by approximately 8.25%. The dividend supports essential city services and community initiatives, ensuring the benefits of Tbaytel’s success are directly felt by the residents and businesses of Thunder Bay.
Paul Norris, President & CEO of Tbaytel, commented, “Our theme this year, ‘Shaping the Community Together,’ reflects the deep connection we share with our customers, partners, and the community. It’s through these collective efforts that we continue to build a more connected and prosperous Thunder Bay and region. Our performance in 2024 demonstrates not only the strength of our business model but also the trust and support received from the community.”
Tbaytel’s success has also enabled the company to continue its investment in community-driven projects contributing close to $444 thousand in 2024. From supporting local education programs to investing in healthcare and cultural initiatives, Tbaytel remains dedicated to enhancing the lives of those in the region.
“Being a part of the Thunder Bay community means more than just providing services—it’s about actively contributing to the growth and well-being of the region,” said Norris. “Through our investments in technology and local initiatives, we’re working alongside our neighbours to strengthen the community and ensure that everyone has the resources to thrive and stay connected.”
Tbaytel remains focused on ensuring long-term success by maintaining its momentum while fostering collaboration with local partners to drive even greater community development.
“As we move forward, we are excited for the opportunities ahead,” added Norris. “Our progress in 2024 is just the beginning. With the continued support of the Thunder Bay community, we will keep evolving, innovating, and ensuring that everyone stays connected in every sense of the word.”
To view or download Shaping the Community Together: 2024 Report to the Community. please visit tbaytel.net/communityreport
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Media Contact:
Kaitlin Gaspar
Public Relations Communication Coordinator
Tbaytel
[email protected]
(807) 620-4545
About Tbaytel:
Tbaytel is dedicated to delivering telecommunication and entertainment solutions that ensure people, businesses and communities in northern Ontario have multiple points of access to the global communications highway. Tbaytel offers the region’s largest cellular coverage area including state-of-the-art 5G voice and data services in addition to an extensive local and regional fibre network delivering voice, internet, phone, security and TV services. With over a century of contributing to the quality of life, infrastructure and economic health of the north, Tbaytel’s understanding and commitment to northern Ontario is unparalleled.
www.tbaytel.net
Thunder Bay, Ont. (April 7, 2025) – Tbaytel is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Tbaytel For Good Community Fund, offering a total of $30,000 to support impactful community projects across Northern Ontario. From April 7th, 2025, until 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 20th, Tbaytel invites teachers, students, parents, volunteers, not-for-profit organizations, coaches, community members, associations, and all individuals from its service area to apply for funding to help improve their communities through projects, ideas, or initiatives.
“Each year, we eagerly anticipate the inspiring submissions that give individuals and organizations in our region the chance to enhance their communities,” says Agnes Notarbartolo, Manager – Communication and Brand – Tbaytel, and member of the judging panel. “As a judge, I’m continually inspired by the incredible work being done by people and organizations. This initiative is a wonderful way to give back to the communities Tbaytel serves.”
Since its inception in 2013, the Tbaytel For Good Community Fund has received 607 submissions, funded 107 projects, and distributed a total of $366,342 in grants across 25 communities throughout Northern Ontario. In 2024, the fund reached a significant milestone with 63 submissions, the highest number of entries to date.
The Tbaytel For Good Community Fund is designed to support a wide variety of initiatives, from program-based ideas to upgrades for equipment or facilities. Grants of up to $10,000 are available, providing funding opportunities for projects of all sizes. To apply, applicants are encouraged to submit a project that will benefit their community, include a project description, budget and record a 60-second video describing the project, and complete the online application by 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025. A diverse panel of community judges will review all entries, and the winners will be announced on June 20th, 2025.
Applicants must be located within Tbaytel’s serving area in Northern Ontario, and projects should align with the goal of improving community spaces, services, or programs. For a full list of eligibility criteria, or for more details on the submission process, please visit: www.tbaytelforgood.net.
Agnes Notarbartolo
Manager – Communication & Brand
(807) 684-2516
Leading up to Valentine's Day and with the United Way and 211 being red, The Persian Man plans to also sell its signature treats in red.
View the full article here: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/united-way-of-thunder-bay-announces-urgent-needs-fund-on-211-day-10217673
Tbaytel staff rushed dozens of boxes filled with food across warehouse tables in Thunder Bay’s Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) on Wednesday. With the help and supervision of the RFDA, this fast-paced packing was part of staff volunteer efforts for the fourth day of Tbaytel’s annual 12 Days of Christmas campaign. The campaign combines the work of employees and their authorized dealers to surprise individuals and organizations with gifts, meals, free gas, donations and fun activities throughout Northwestern Ontario.
Kaitlin Gaspar, the public relations communication coordinator for Tbaytel, helped pack up the RFDA donations. She said Tbaytel brought the boxes from their lunchrooms at all their Tbaytel locations. “We had our Tbaytel vehicle all filled up. We got those on the forklift and we now have an assembly line,” said Gaspar. “So, the RFDA staff have told us which boxes, which items go in, so that’s what we’re doing right now is stocking everything.”
Since 2015, Tbaytel has been giving back through the holiday season through an ever-changing series of events. This year, Gaspar said they had already raised 700 kilograms of food donations from staff, which they later topped up. “It’s really great to give back to the community and we know that food insecurity is huge here in the community right now. So, it’s one thing that we can do,” said Gaspar.
It is not the first day she has participated in the campaign since its launch on Dec. 1. “It’s been really great. Like I said, it’s day four. The rest of the days are a surprise. So, you’ll have to follow along on our social media because we post each day what we do,” said Gaspar.
Volker Kromm, the executive director at the RFDA, also participated in the warehouse efforts. He said it’s a great partnership with Tbaytel because they have the same regional footprint and the focus is about community. “I just think it’s a natural fit. The Regional Food Distribution Association is really about feeding the community and Tbaytel is all about supporting the community and those people in the region as well,” said Kromm.
However, this year, he said there has been such an increase that it has become challenging for the RFDA to meet their goals. “We’re finding that with food prices and people not being able to donate as much, we’re really struggling to make this thing happen,” said Kromm. So, he said they were fortunate to be selected as one of the benefactors in the program. “They brought their entire staff and I think that’s the important part,” said Kromm. “They’re going to be our forerunners for the program because after they’ve figured out how to do this --what the hampers look like -- we’re going to be bringing in scores of groups between now and the 13th when they all go out, that’s when the big push is to deliver.”
Kromm added that it is also very stressful to meet their goals of quality distribution and making sure they have ‘some really good food going in this year.’ “We spent a lot more money, and that’s made to ensure that everyone has access to a really healthy Christmas for the holidays,” said Kromm. He said they asked Tbaytel to bring in the basics, including canned vegetables, canned fruit, pancake mix, margarine, and simple things they can provide for people waking up Christmas morning or during the holidays.
He said they will offer foods like kraft dinner that are ‘always a favourite with kids’ and sometimes add cookies. “The cookies were baked here by the schools that came in and volunteers. So, yeah, there’s always a little bit of, you know, human interaction that gets added to the package. Sometimes there’s even candies,” said Kromm. Kromm said their holiday hampers mainly help single seniors and couples, as well as people who don’t fit into the regular Christmas cheer program.
These giveaways and events will continue until Dec. 12. Tbaytel hinted their next event will be outside.
View the full article here: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/tbaytel-staff-give-back-through-12-days-of-christmas-campaign-9907365
View the video here: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/tbt-news-stories/video-tbaytel-helps-rfda-during-12-days-of-christmas-initiative-9908935
August 27, 2024
For Immediate Release
Tbaytel welcomes Paul Norris as new President and CEO
The Tbaytel Board of Directors are pleased to announce Paul Norris as Tbaytel’s incoming President and CEO, effective October 1, 2024.
Mr. Norris brings with him a wealth of experience in telecommunications including over 25 years’ experience in telecommunications sales, marketing and strategy development.
“Tbaytel has an exceptional history of delivering outstanding telecommunications services while investing in the neighbourhoods they serve. I look forward to joining this team of talented and dedicated employees to serve and grow Tbaytel’s commitment to all its customers,” said Paul Norris.
In his last role, Mr. Norris was the Vice Chair Bell MTS & Western Canada and Vice President – Sales (Greenfield & MDU Partnerships) for Bell Canada nationally. Before joining Bell Canada in May 2017 through an acquisition, Paul held a number of positions at MTS in Winnipeg including Vice President of Residential Solutions where he was responsible for strategy, product development, pricing, campaign development and direct sales in the highly competitive wireless and wireline markets.
Aligning well with Tbaytel’s commitment to the community, Paul is highly active in philanthropy through his years of service at the United Way Winnipeg. He was the Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2022 / 2023 and a member of the Executive Committee since 2019. He led the CEO search committee in 2023 and led fundraising campaigns across several divisions. Paul co-chaired the Major Donors Division through the pandemic – achieving record giving levels.
Paul is a proud graduate of the University of Manitoba (I.H. Asper) School of Business, a Manitoba 150 Award recipient and a dedicated husband to Danielle and proud father of 3 children Tyler (24), Ryan (21) and Amy (16).
“Mr. Norris’ arrival represents a seamless transition between himself and Tbaytel’s retiring longtime President and CEO, Dan Topatigh,” said Scott Potts, Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Chair. “We thank Dan for many years of outstanding service to this organization and the community at large. We wish him well in his retirement as we wholeheartedly welcome Paul and his family to our community”.
Media Availability will be available upon request. Please contact:
Kaitlin Gaspar, Public Relations Communication Coordinator, Tbaytel, (807) 625-3295; [email protected]
Tbaytel is dedicated to delivering telecommunication and entertainment solutions that ensure people, businesses and communities in northern Ontario have multiple points of access to the global communications highway. Tbaytel offers the region’s largest cellular coverage area including state-of-the-art 5G voice and data services in addition to an extensive local and regional fibre network delivering voice, internet, phone, security and TV services. With over a century of contributing to the quality of life, infrastructure and economic health of the north, Tbaytel’s understanding and commitment to northern Ontario is unparalleled
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