City Council Wrap-Up: July 15, 2025
Jul 16, 2025
Here is an overview of some key discussions and decisions from the City Council meeting on July 15.
Roadmap to End Homelessness Annual Update
Council received a presentation on the 2025 annual update of the Roadmap to End Homelessness, the City’s official strategy to prevent, address, and achieve a functional end to homelessness by 2030. The plan outlines a coordinated, community-based approach focused on prevention, rapid re-housing, supportive housing, and system-level improvements.
City staff and community partners have been working together to align local housing and homelessness services, including efforts to invest in converting emergency shelter programs to transitional housing. The update highlighted progress on several initiatives, including the completion of new affordable and transitional housing projects, enhancements to the coordinated access system, and the launch of new support programs. The report included updates on the By-Name List and a comprehensive list of next steps.
Housing Supply Strategy Update
Council received a presentation on the 2025 Q2 update on the Housing Supply Strategy, outlining 41 action items across 17 focus areas to increase housing supply and affordability in Greater Sudbury. As of mid-2025, 15 items have been completed, 20 are underway and seven have not yet started.
Recent highlights include $27.9 million in federal funding through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund for upgrades to the Lively-Walden Wastewater System, enabling 3,300 new homes. The City was also awarded up to $16 million through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to fast-track 495 new units by 2028. Other initiatives include zoning changes, the hiring of an affordable housing and home energy concierge, and an updated Housing Needs Assessment.
Council approved the Terms of Reference for a Housing Supply Strategy Governance Model, which will support implementation through a collaborative housing forum. A progress report on the implementation of the Housing Supply Strategy will be presented to Council in December 2025.
Read the report, progress update and report card here
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for Citizen Appointments
Council directed staff to prepare a Bylaw to adopt the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for Citizen Appointments, to ensure that municipal panel and board appointments reflect the diversity of Greater Sudbury’s population and supports the City’s broader equity goals.
The policy outlines strategies for inclusive outreach, transparent selection processes and ongoing training for Council appointees. It aligns with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to remove systemic barriers while promoting fairness and accessibility in civic participation.
Wahnapitae Lagoon Rehabilitation
Council approved a $3-million budget for the rehabilitation of the Wahnapitae Lagoon, with funding from the Capital Financing Reserve Fund – Wastewater. The project will address significant sludge buildup and vegetation overgrowth that have reduced the lagoon’s capacity and contributed to operational challenges.
The rehabilitation will extend the lagoon’s useful life by 15 to 20 years, improve climate resiliency and reduce future maintenance costs. It presents a unique opportunity to lower overall costs and complete the work within one season, minimizing disruption for residents. The project aligns with the City’s strategic goals for asset management, innovation and environmental sustainability.
Downtown Sudbury – South District Development Potential
Council directed staff to implement the recommendations outlined in the Downtown Sudbury – South District Development Potential report and return with an update by the end of Q1 2026. As part of the City’s broader downtown revitalization strategy, staff will complete the Downtown Master Plan (DMP) Update and launch an Expression of Interest/Request for Proposal (EOI/RFP) process in 2026 to attract private investment in the South District. This process will identify available City-owned properties, outline evaluation criteria, and provide supporting materials such as geotechnical data and incentive program details. In addition, it will support efforts to reduce development barriers, update zoning, and continue targeted outreach to developers.
Council also directed staff to prepare a business case for the demolition of the Sudbury Community Arena, to be considered as part of the 2026–2027 budget process. While adaptive reuse options will continue to be explored through the DMP Update and EOI/RFP processes, the report highlights the challenges of maintaining a vacant facility and identifies the opportunity to use the site for temporary surface parking, once the new Event Centre is complete. Community and stakeholder engagement will continue throughout this process.
Energy Optimization Project
Council approved a single-source agreement with Nerva Energy to deliver an energy optimization project at 1920 and 1960 Paris Street, two of the City’s largest Housing Operations complexes. The project will be funded through a combination of energy incentives and the Social Housing Capital Reserve Fund, with energy savings used to repay the reserve over time and reduce future operating costs.
The project includes upgrades such as separating the heating and hot water systems, adding in-suite controls, implementing a building optimization system, and window and door sensors. These improvements are expected to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the City’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan and its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Greater Sudbury Development Corporation Funding for March of Dimes
Council approved funding from the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) to support March of Dimes Canada’s Project SEARCH, a program that helps youth with disabilities gain job skills and employment. The investment will support skills trainers over a three-year period to ensure the program’s continued success.
Project SEARCH combines classroom instruction with workplace internships and has achieved a 90 per cent local employment rate. The initiative supports inclusive employment and addresses local labour shortages.
Members Motion on Indigenous-Led Transitional Housing
Council approved a motion from Councillor McIntosh directing staff to work with Indigenous partners to present a business case for the development of Indigenous-led transitional housing with wraparound supports, for consideration during the 2026–2027 budget deliberations.
The motion supports the City’s Roadmap to End Homelessness by 2030, which was adopted in May 2024 and calls for investment in Indigenous-led housing solutions.
Member’s Motion on Youth Transitional Housing
Council approved a motion from Mayor Lefebvre directing staff to present a business case for the development of a youth transitional housing program with emergency shelter beds, for consideration during the 2026–2027 budget deliberations.
The motion supports the City’s Roadmap to End Homelessness by 2030, which calls for investments in prevention, rapid re-housing and youth-specific supports.
Member’s Motion on Transitional Tiny Home Project Business Case Request
Council rejected a motion from Councillor Leduc that would direct staff to prepare a business case for a transitional tiny home project on city-owned land in response to the rise in homelessness in Greater Sudbury.
Member’s Motion on Land Acknowledgement at City Council Meetings
Council approved a motion from Mayor Lefebvre directing staff to bring forward an amendment to the City’s Procedure Bylaw to include a land acknowledgement at the start of City Council and committee meetings.
The motion recognizes Greater Sudbury’s location on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation, and supports ongoing reconciliation efforts by honouring the contributions of Indigenous peoples to the community.
For more details on these and other items from this week’s meetings, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/meetings-agendas-and-minutes