Chris Pollard

The community is buzzing right now, with the launch of Sioux Lookout’s very first Community Choice Project Fund. This pilot project will see $20,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax allocated to a project suggested by and voted for by residents of Sioux Lookout. We are looking for novel ways to give residents a greater voice in what projects are developed to improve the quality of life in the Hub of the North.

We will be accepting project idea submissions until October 31^st at 4:00 p.m. through an application form available on our website at https://www.siouxlookout.ca/build-and-invest/community-choice-project-fund. Municipal staff will be available to help by appointment, or at two community open house sessions. These will take place at the Recreation Centre from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. on October 8^th and 22^nd.

There are several requirements for a proposed project to move forward in the selection process. These include:

• Cost no more than $20,000, all-inclusive, with no ongoing unfunded costs or maintenance
• Be under Municipal jurisdiction, take place on Municipal property, and not duplicate existing services
• Achievable by December 15, 2026, with required permits and approvals
• Provide a clear public benefit, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity
• Align with at least one Municipal of these guiding documents:
  • The Sioux Lookout Official Plan
  • Sioux Lookout’s Strategic Plan
  • The Community Safety & Wellbeing Plan
• Identify any outside contributions such as funding, labour, and materials, with written confirmation

Municipal staff will review the submissions in November, and the public will vote for the project to be presented to Council over three weeks in December. Council will review the proposal at the Regular Council Meeting in January 2026.

Anyone who has questions about the Community Choice Project Fund should contact Jennifer Esposito, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, at 807-737-2700 ext. 9005 or by emailing jesposito@siouxlookout.ca.

We are excited to see the ideas that come from this program and the feedback from our residents throughout the process.

This is just one initiative to increase community engagement, build trust, and increase transparency that the Municipality of Sioux Lookout has undertaken this year. Another is the Community Compass, unveiled just a few months ago.

The Community Compass is an interactive guide to Municipality’s strategic goals. Updated monthly, our Community Compass provides transparent and timely insights into the progress of ongoing developments, from infrastructure improvements to community programs.

Not only will our accomplishments be outlined, but the roadblocks experienced in completing projects will be noted as well, such as the Hillcrest Business Park facing increased costs and constraints from inflation, supply chain disruptions, and site conditions.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why wasn’t that project that was announced completed? What are they doing with that?” You may find the answers in the Community Compass!

We invite you to join the hundreds of area residents who have already visited the dashboard to explore our updates and see how these initiatives are shaping a better future for all residents.

As we head towards winter, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout would also like to remind everyone that winter parking restrictions will return to the downtown core on November 1^st.

Between November 1^st and April 15^th of each year, no parking is allowed in the downtown core between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. A question we often see is, “what is the downtown core, exactly?” It’s a great question. Sioux Lookout’s downtown core consists of Front Street from its intersection with Wellington St. to Third Avenue, King Street from Seventh Avenue to Third Avenue, and the avenues connecting them.

For the remaining Municipal streets and laneways, no parking is allowed between midnight and 7:00 a.m. when winter parking restrictions are in place.

We would like to close by reminding residents that during the Canada Post strike utility and tax bills cannot be mailed to you. If you have not signed up for paperless billing, you are strongly encouraged to do so on our website at https://www.siouxlookout.ca/finance/ebilling. You may also visit our Customer Service desk to get a copy of your bill and make payments in person.