City Council Wrap-Up: October 22, 2024

Here is an overview of key discussions and decisions from the City Council meeting on October 22.

2023 Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) Annual Report

Council received the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation’s 2023 Annual Report, which included updates on economic recovery through talent attraction, retention and lifestyle promotion, downtown revitalization, the city’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, business support, tourism and more.

To read the full 2023 GSDC Annual Report, visit investsudbury.ca.

 

Sustainable Waste Strategy, 2025-2035

Council received a report and presentation on the Sustainable Waste Strategy, 2025-2035, which will guide the City’s long-term plan for waste service delivery and management. Council adopted the plan, subject to the clear bag recommendation being considered a lower priority, and not beginning until further direction from Council is provided.

Staff will now develop implementation plans along with business cases for recommended actions for consideration in future budget processes.

The full Sustainable Waste Strategy can be viewed online.

 

Appointments to the Youth Advisory Panel

Council appointed Councillors Parent and Labbee to the Youth Advisory Panel for the term ending November 14, 2026. The establishment of a Youth Advisory Panel Terms of Reference was approved by City Council at its October 8, 2024, meeting by way of By-law 2024-158.

The mandate of the Panel is to provide a youth perspective on municipal initiatives and provide recommendations to Council about issues that affect youth living in Greater Sudbury. Panel membership includes the appointment of two Members of Council and 12 citizens (one per ward) consisting of youth aged 13 to 18.

Learn more by reading the Creation of a Youth Advisory Panel report, presented to the Community and Emergency Services Committee.

 

Accessibility Consultation Policy

Council unanimously received and approved an Accessibility Consultation Policy designed to better incorporate accessibility planning into City initiatives and foster a more inclusive process by actively involving the Accessibility Advisory Panel wherever possible.

The draft policy goes beyond the minimum requirements for new or redeveloped buildings, structures or premises outlined in the legislation by requiring staff to consult the Accessibility Advisory Panel on a variety of other initiatives to ensure that needs are considered from the outset, leading to more equitable access to public facilities and programs.

View the Accessibility Consultation Policy online.

 

Renoviction Report

Council received a report regarding opportunities to reduce the number of renovictions in Greater Sudbury, which included possible actions the municipality could undertake in order to prevent bad faith renovictions, in alignment with the City’s goal to end homelessness in Greater Sudbury by 2030. The report did not provide a recommendation but indicated the opportunity to further enhance collaboration with partner agencies to ensure tenants and landlords are aware of resources and their rights and responsibilities.

The Renoviction Report can be found online.

 

Member’s Motion to Increase Municipal Accommodation Tax

Council passed a motion directing staff to increase the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) amount from four per cent to six per cent effective January 1, 2025, and allocate the City’s portion of the increase to the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve committed for the Event Centre additional debt repayment until it is required.

Council also directed staff to update the existing MAT agreement between the City of Greater Sudbury and the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) to establish the new level of funding and the GSDC’s contributions to the City for:

• the Event Centre,
• the development of the South District, and
• related capital projects with positive economic impacts on the tourism sector.

 

For more details on these and other items from this week’s meetings, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/city-hall/mayor-and-council/meetings-agendas-and-minutes.