10/02/2026
TJ Finch for North Bay City Council
THE STORY OF T.J. FINCH: FROM HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC TO COUNCIL CANDIDATE FIGHTING FOR NORTH BAY'S FUTURE
NORTH BAY, ON — T.J. (Terry) Finch -- a local farmer, heavy equipment specialist, and self-made entrepreneur with over 25 years in business—has officially launched his campaign for North Bay City Council.
Finch's local roots in Widdifield Township trace back to the 1800s, but his career was built through decades of hard work in heavy industry. Leaving North Bay as a teenager, he spent over 25 years working across Canada running contract heavy equipment maintenance and repair operations—organizing and executing complex field operations specifically to eliminate downtime, raise efficiency, and keep multi-million dollar equipment fleets running smoothly.
When Finch, his wife, and their three children brought their operations back home to North Bay, he continued his mechanical business, established N7 Cattle Company and the family's farm here in North Bay, and got involved in local hockey and business communities. But coming home also meant watching municipal administration operate with bureaucratic red tape, costly equipment management issues, and escalating taxpayer burdens.
Finch isn't one to sit on the sidelines when taxpayers are getting a raw deal. On October 14, 2025, he stood directly before City Council to challenge restrictive rural land policies and demand economic growth—advocacy that helped spark the creation of North Bay's Rural Advisory Committee. Earlier this year, he publicly held the city accountable again over costly municipal equipment trade-ins, calling out mismanaged taxpayer dollars.
"You're never going to see me in a suit and tie—I don't own one," said Finch. "I'm a work-boots-and-jeans guy, and my story is about real life. Council works for the ratepayer, and after years of watching City Hall run things into the ground, the people paying the bills deserve a representative who isn't afraid to speak truth to power."
Finch is putting his 25+ years of entrepreneurial experience behind a clear vision: turning North Bay into Northern Ontario's premier high-tech mining, manufacturing, and construction supply hub.
"We need development, and we need it now," Finch stated. "My goal is simple: get out of the way of private investment and create an environment where we build homes, expand commercial sites, and create good-paying construction, skilled trade, and high-tech industrial jobs. That way, families can live in North Bay, raise their children here, and build solid careers while growing our tax base naturally—without constantly hiking property taxes on residential ratepayers."
Where T.J. Finch Stands:
Economic Growth & Construction Jobs: Cutting red tape to encourage private development, creating high-paying construction, trade, and high-tech mining jobs to capture Northern Ontario's multi-billion dollar mineral boom and expand city revenue without tax hikes.
City Hall Governance & Operational Efficiency: Bringing a contract heavy equipment specialist's mindset to municipal operations—eliminating bureaucratic downtime, enforcing strict oversight over city management, and demanding full financial transparency for social service spending, including boards like DNSSAB.
Street Safety & Involuntary Treatment: Protecting public safety and supporting the working poor by advocating directly with the province for involuntary, structured treatment to get severe addicts off our streets and into real recovery.
Protecting Infrastructure & Assets: Taking care of current city assets through preventative maintenance before committing to new builds, and opposing the rushed demolition of the West Ferris Arena.
"My campaign comes down to three rules: Listen to residents, Speak up with real solutions, and Remember that the community comes first," Finch added.
Online voting runs October 15 to 26. Contact the campaign directly at [email protected].
T.J. Finch
