Municipality of Sioux Lookout launches Pathway to Prevention project to reduce wildfire risks 

Tim Brody - Editor

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout has been selected as a 2025 recipient of funding through Intact Financial Corporation’s expanded Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants program. 
The Municipality received a grant of $200,000.00 to implement its “Pathways to Prevention” project, an initiative designed to enhance public safety by reducing wildfire risks through education, prevention, risk mitigation, fuel removal, and improved emergency response capabilities a joint news release issued by the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and Intact Financial Corporation explained. 
“As climate change continues to escalate the frequency and intensity of wildfire seasons, proactive measures are essential to safeguard our communities. Sioux Lookout’s “Pathways to Prevention” project is set to build upon and expand existing FireSmart™ neighborhood programming to conduct workshops, distribute educational materials, remove hazardous vegetation, and equip its fire department to better handle wildfire threats, cultivating a more resilient community,” the press release states. 
The project implementation began last week at the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce’s 43rd annual Home, Craft, and Trade Show, with results tracked through completion milestones. 
“This initiative is among 19 community-led projects across Canada selected by Intact as part its expanded $3.1 million commitment to climate adaptation through its Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant program. 
“This program is rooted in the belief that municipalities are on the front lines of climate change and that equipping them with effective tools is essential to building resilience. The 2025 cohort of grant recipients was selected from over 170 applicants and reflects a diverse mix of municipalities, registered charities, and Indigenous communities across the country,” the joint press release noted. 
Sioux Lookout Fire Chief Jeremy Funk is excited to put these funds to work. He stated, “Assisting local homeowners with completing a FireSmart assessment is just the first step in reducing wildfire risks in the community. Education is a critical element. Having the equipment to deal with emergencies when they happen, like the specialized wildfire response unit and suppression equipment this grant from Intact will provide, is the next step in reducing property loss from wildfires.” 
“Communities like Sioux Lookout are showing how rural and small-town leadership can drive big change on climate resilience. These projects are grounded in science, collaboration and stewardship, and we’re proud to support their vision through our Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants program,” said Peter Janzen, Senior Vice President, Ontario, Intact Insurance. 
“Intact has been dedicated to climate adaptation for over a decade, investing more than $30 million since 2010 in over 100 projects. The Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants program was launched in 2021 to support municipalities, which own 60 per cent of Canada’s infrastructure and serve as frontline responders when disasters strike. Under the program’s first round of funding, Intact invested $1 million to fund 10 communities nationwide. In 2024, the organization announced plans to double its commitment from $1 to $2 million for the 2024-2025 program. With the overwhelming demand and urgent need, Intact recently announced that it has increased its program funding to $3.1 million over the next two years to support 19 communities throughout Canada,” the press release concluded.