Municipal Council Notes

February 18, 2026

REPORTS

2026 Community Choice Project Implementation
Council approved the implementation of Waterfront Programming as the 2026 “Community Choice Project.” 
Carly Collins, Treasurer and Jennifer Esposito, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, shared in their report to Council, “To pilot PB (Participatory Budgeting) in Sioux Lookout, Council approved the allocation of $20,000 for a “Community Project”, with funds drawn from the municipal portion of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). Residents were encouraged to submit, review, and vote on ideas for a project that benefits the community. Any resident, community group or organization could submit an application for their project idea.”
Their report continued, “Four applications were submitted and underwent a staff-led feasibility review before advancing to the community ballot. This review was based on a standardized checklist that evaluated each proposal against clear criteria, ensuring transparency and fairness.
“Projects were assessed on the following: Financial Feasibility: Total cost must not exceed $20,000, with all costs (materials, labour, permits) clearly identified and with no ongoing, unfunded municipal costs beyond the pilot. Municipal Responsibility: The project must fall within municipal jurisdiction and not duplicate existing programs or services. Achievability: Projects must be realistically achievable by December 15, 2026, with necessary permits and approvals attainable. Public Benefit: Projects must provide a clear community benefit (not private), and be accessible and inclusive. Alignment: Proposals must demonstrate alignment with at least one of the Municipality’s guiding documents — the Official Plan, the Strategic Plan, or the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. Outside Contributions: If external funding, labour, or materials are required, contributors must be identified with written confirmation provided. 
“Two projects met these criteria and were deemed eligible to move forward to the community voting stage. Staff documented the rationale for eligibility or ineligibility to ensure accountability in the process.”
Voting took place between November 17th - December 5th, 2025. There were 386 votes submitted online, and 6 physical ballots submitted at the Municipal Office, for a total of 392 participants.
The Waterfront Programming and Supervision project received 304 votes, while a Community Art project received 88 votes.
Collins and Esposito’s report included a summary of both projects.
Project Summary: Waterfront Programming & Supervision
78% of participating residents chose to support the Waterfront Programming & Supervision Project. This project proposes the temporary establishment of supervised aquatic programming at Farlinger Park (Town Beach) during June and July 2026 to address the current gap in local swimming instruction, water safety education, and supervised recreational swimming. Programming would include Learn to Swim (Levels 1–4), Swim to Survive, open-water lane swimming, aquafit classes, and supervised recreational use. The initiative would be delivered as a one-time program and conclude at the end of the summer once allocated funds are fully utilized. Given Sioux Lookout’s lake- and river-based geography and strong cultural connection to outdoor recreation, water safety is a critical community need. Families currently must travel to Dryden to access swimming lessons and supervised aquatic programming, creating barriers for households without transportation or with limited availability. This lack of local programming affects residents across all socio-economic backgrounds. To support safe delivery, the project includes the installation of temporary aquatic infrastructure such as anchored buoys and lane lines for open-water swimming, a roped shallow-water area for lessons for young children and infants, and a recreational feature such as a floating dock or slide. Required safety and instructional equipment would be purchased, including rescue tubes, a rescue paddleboard, first aid supplies, instructional materials, and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)—a portable medical device designed to assess heart rhythm and deliver a life-saving shock in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. All programming would be delivered by certified staff holding National Lifeguard Service (Pool Option) and Standard First Aid certification, with additional waterfront-specific training provided. Proof of staff certification and insurance coverage would be provided prior to program launch. Supplementary revenue may be generated through private bookings in designated beach areas, such as birthday parties or community events. 
Community Art Project
22% of residents favoured the Community Art Project. This project proposed to install a mural created by a Lac Seul Artist, Storm Angeconeb, at the Memorial Arena. The project intended to celebrate indigenous art & culture to welcome residents and visitors and improve the vibrancy of our community.
 

Bell Mobility’s 20-metre Self-Support Communication Tower - 237 Highway 72
Council authorized and directed the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a letter of concurrence on behalf of Council, as requested by FONTUR International Inc., on behalf of Bell Mobility for the installation of a 20-metre self-supported wireless telecommunication tower to be located at 237 Highway 72, Sioux Lookout.
Bright Opare, Planning Coordinator and Jody Brinkman, Manager of Development Services, shared in their report to Council, “Staff reviewed a proposal from Bell Mobility in January of 2026 to construct a 20-metre self-support telecommunication tower at the Fire Management Headquarters property located at 237 Highway 72, Sioux Lookout. The proposal involves Bell Mobility working in partnership with the Province of Ontario’s Government Mobile Communication Branch (GMCB); the proposed tower forms part of the GMCB’s Public Safety Radio Network (PSRN) expansion project. The proponents are requesting a letter of concurrence issued by the Municipality to support the installation of the 20-metre self-supported wireless telecommunication tower, in line with Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems’ guidelines (CPC-2-0-03, issue 6, July 2022).
Water and Wastewater Financial Plan - Renewal
Council approved the renewal of the Water and Wastewater Financial Plan 2021-2031 as per the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2001.
 
Sector-Based Housing Needs Assessment - Contract Award
Council awarded the Sector-Based Housing Needs Assessment to Urban Systems for $97,700, and directed staff to execute the Agreement.
The passing of this resolution, “directs staff to award a contract to support the completion of the sector-based Housing Needs Assessment project, with the goal of identifying housing gaps and informing strategies to improve housing options that support workforce development, attraction, and retention in Sioux Lookout,” according to Jennifer Esposito, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, report to Council.
She went on to share in her report, “This project will assess current and future housing needs in Sioux Lookout with a focused lens on key workforce sectors - health, social services, aviation, service and accommodations, and trades, and to provide actionable strategies and development concepts for addressing housing shortages, including feasibility and cost analysis for 1–2 municipally owned sites. 
“The project will explore the feasibility of development of municipally owned properties in Hudson, assessing their potential role in revitalizing the Hudson community while contributing to the overall housing stock. It will also identify specific strategies to attract investment for these lands to support economic and community development goals. 
“This project will address several key gaps identified in the 2023 KDSB Regional Housing Strategy, which, due to its broad scope and reliance on 2016 Census data, provided only a high-level analysis of local needs and is now outdated. The proposed study will take a more current, community-specific approach by analyzing local trends, employer input, and sectorspecific housing demand to better inform municipal policy, economic development efforts, and land-use planning. 
“In addition to identifying workforce housing needs, the project will deliver realistic, implementable concepts for addressing housing shortages on municipal land, including Opinion of Probable Costs for land development and feasibility considerations. These outputs will help position the Municipality to respond more effectively to both the immediate and longterm housing needs that are currently constraining workforce attraction and retention across multiple sectors. 
“Local developers in rural communities like Sioux Lookout often face challenges accessing capital to initiate new housing projects, particularly when lenders perceive high risk. A datainformed, sector-specific housing strategy not only ensures future development is aligned with the most pressing market needs, but also provides credible evidence to help de-risk investment and strengthen the case for financing. 
“This work aligns with the Municipality’s economic development priorities and will serve as a foundational step in advancing future housing initiatives and funding applications.”

BYLAWS

Community Safety & Well-being Intern (Authorizing NOHFC Funding Agreement: Project # 74003234)
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 11-26, Being a By-law to Authorize and Direct the Mayor and the Clerk to Execute an Agreement Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) (Project # 74003234) to employ a Community Safety & Well-being Intern.  
 
Environment Committee Annual Workplan
Council approved the Municipality of Sioux Lookout Environment Committee’s 2026 Work Plan, as attached, submitted for Council’s consideration in compliance with By-law No. 79-15, Being a By-law to Establish the Terms of Reference for Council Created Committees.
 
Hillcrest Land Sale and Transfer
Council authorized the passing By-law No. 04-26, Being a By-law to Authorize the Mayor and the Clerk to Execute Agreements and Documents Regarding the Sale of Hereinafter Described Land by The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to Opus 69 Limited Ltd. DBA Woodmere Developments; and further, Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 05-26, Being a By-law to Authorize the Conveyance of Certain Hereinafter Described Land by The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to Opus 69 Limited Ltd. DBA Woodmere 
Developments.

2026 Budget Adoption and Tax Rate Approval
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 07-26, Being a By-law to Adopt the Estimates of All Sums Required for All Municipal Purposes during the Year 2026 and to Authorize the Levy and Collection of Taxes for all Municipal Purposes in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout for the 2026 Fiscal Year; and further Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 08-26, Being a By-law to set Tax ratios for Prescribed Property Classes for Municipal Purposes for the Year 2026. With the passing of this by-law Council has approved: 1. A 1.75% taxation levy increase to support the Operating Budget and 2. The 2026 Capital Projects.
 
Dedicated Gas Tax for Public Transportation
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 09-26, and By-law No. 10-26, both Being a By-laws to Authorize the Mayor and the Clerk to Enter into and Execute the Municipal Funding Agreement for the Transfer of Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as Represented by the Minister of Transportation for the Province of Ontario. 
Carly Collins – Treasurer, shared in her report to Council, “The dedicated gas tax funds and any related interest must be spent on one or more of the following: 

• Public transportation capital expenditures that promote increased transit ridership; 
  
• Public transportation operating expenditures; 
  
• Capital expenditures for the replacement of any public transportation vehicles; 
  
• Capital expenditures that provide improvements to the public transportation security and passenger safety; 
  
• Expenditures for major refurbishment on any fully accessible, or to be made fully accessible, public transportation vehicle, with the exception of specialized vehicles used for the transportation of persons with disabilities, and 
  
• Expenditures which enhance connections or access to and from transit. 
  

The Municipality was notified that past funding is still available to receive. Any unused revenue can be brought forward to be spent in the following years. In order to receive the funding a Letter of Agreement must be signed and submitted.

Collins further noted, “The Agreement will result in the Municipality being eligible for an estimated $50,901 for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. The funding will be used to operate the Sioux Lookout Community Transportation System. 
The funds have been allocated to 2025 expenses and have been placed in the 
2026 budget.”
 
2026 Water and Sanitary Sewer Rates
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 06-26, Being a By-law to Establish the Water and Wastewater Service Rates and Charges for the Production, Treatment, Storage and Distribution of Water and/or Wastewater in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and to Repeal By-law No. 29-24.
Municipal Staff requested and received Council’s approval to not move forward with a planned water/wastewater rate increase, which would have come into effect on April 1, 2026.
Carly Collins – Treasurer, shared in her report to Council, “On October 20, 2023, Council approved the Municipality’s Water and Sewer System Financial Plan as part of the Municipality’s requirement under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). 
“While the SDWA does not give a clear definition of what is considered to be sustainable, the Municipality has always interpreted a sustainable system to mean a water and sewer system that is financially self sufficient, through the levy of user fees and charges. 
“Additionally, the financial plans were developed with the understanding that the Sustainable Water and Sewer System Act (SWSSA) will come into force, requiring municipalities to access the “full costs” of operating and maintaining its water and sanitary sewer system. 
“The financial plans were prepared using a preliminary rate study and analysis which determined that the water and sewer rates would need to increase. 
“On March 20, 2024, Staff recommended to increase the water and wastewater rates for 2024 and 2025. After such time, staff would conduct an analysis on the financial plan to current revenues, expenditures, long term debt, and transfers to reserves to help determine the increases over the next 2 years for 2024 and 2025.”
Collins report further explained, “Staff is recommending to Council not to increase the rates for 2026. With the Municipality receiving funding for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Staff would like to use 2026 to update the capital projects, operating and funding documents associated with the user fees and charges. Staff would bring another document to Council in fall which would outline the possible rate changes for 2027 and 2028.”