The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout
Regular Council Meeting
Agenda

Introduction of Amendments to Agenda

Confirmation of Agenda

THAT the Agenda for the Regular Council Meeting of August 14, 2024 be approved, as presented.

Motion to Adopt the Minutes of the Following Meetings:

• July 17, 2024 Regular Council Meeting Minutes
• July 17, 2024 Public Hearing Meeting Minutes
• July 23, 2024 Special Council Meeting Minutes 

THAT the Minutes of the July 17, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, the July 17, 2024 Public Hearing and the July 23, 2024 Special Council Meeting be approved, as presented.

THAT Council direct Staff to award the following incentives through the Community Improvement Plan and to enter into an agreement for the disbursement of these funds with each successful applicant: 

1. Forest Inn and Conference Centre Inc.  

           Façade Improvement Grant - $5,000

           Improved Signage Grant -      $2,000

           Landscaping -                         $1,000

           Total -                                      $8,000

2. 2656116 Ontario Inc. - Fresh Market

          Building Renovation and Improvement Grant - $10,000

3. Incan Group

           Landscaping -                            $1,000

           Tax Increase Increment Grant - $5,319.62

           Accessibility Grant -                   $4,524.88

           Total -                                         $10,844.50

4. Former Mayfair Building - 1000257529 Ontario Inc.

           Façade Improvement Grant -                            $5,000

           Signage -                                                           $1,000

           Building Renovation and Improvement Grant - $4,844.50

           Total -                                                                 $10,844.50

5. Mitchell Wills

           Residential Intensification Grant - $9,000

6. Sunset Inns Inc.

           Façade Improvement Grant - $5,000

           Improved Signage Grant -      $2,000

           Landscaping -                         $1,000

           Total -                                      $8,000

7. The Hub Collective

           Building Renovation and Improvement Grant - $6,215

           Landscaping -                                                    $1,000

           Total -                                                                 $7,215 

THAT Council directs Staff to complete an invasive asbestos audit of the existing Lost Lake Centre; and further,

THAT Council directs Staff to host an open house in Hudson to request feedback on the updated design; and further,

THAT Council directs Staff to complete construction-ready drawings based on the updated building design and additional feedback received. 

THAT Council authorizes staff to submit an application for funding to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund Round 2 (HAF2) program.

THAT Council authorizes the passing of By-law No. 71-24, Being a By-law of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to authorize the borrowing upon serial debentures in the principal amount of $610,932 towards the cost of the Wellington Street and First Avenue Infrastructure Project; and further,

THAT Council authorizes the passing of By-law No. 72-24, Being a By-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to authorize the borrowing upon serial debentures in the principal amount of $865,306 towards the cost of the Eighth Avenue Infrastructure Project. 

Lost Lake Drop In Centre

Presenter: Krista Storey

By-laws

• By-law No. 71-24, Being a By-law of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to Authorize the Borrowing Upon Serial Debentures in the Principal Amount of $610,932.00 Towards the Cost of the Wellington First Avenue Infrastructure Project
• By-law No. 72-24, Being a By-law of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to Authorize the Borrowing Upon Serial Debentures in the Principal Amount of $865,306.00 Towards the Cost of the Eighth Avenue Infrastructure Project

THAT By-law Nos. 71-24 and 72-24 be read a First, Second and Third time and passed.

NOMA Resolution 2024-32: Recognizing the Essential Role of Nurse Practitioners in Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) Healthcare Services

Letter of Support for Nurse Practitioners to Obtaining Billing Numbers 

WHEREAS Nurse Practitioners (NPs) possess the necessary skills and expertise to independently handle CTAS 3, 4, and 5 cases in the emergency room, as well as provide valuable assistance to Medical Doctors (MDs) in managing CTAS 1 and 2 cases;

WHEREAS in situations where MDs are unavailable, NPs have the capability to collaborate with MD support (virtually) to effectively manage and treat CTAS 1 and 2 cases, ensuring continuity of care for patients in NOMA;

WHEREAS NPs play a vital role in patient health continuity by providing comprehensive and holistic care, addressing not only the physical ailments of patients but also considering their mental and emotional well-being, thereby promoting overall wellness;

WHEREAS NPs significantly contribute to the overall patient care by utilizing their expertise to refer patients to specialists, write prescriptions, and order specialized testing, ensuring timely access to appropriate healthcare services and enhancing the quality of patient care;

WHEREAS NPs have demonstrated their ability to deliver high-quality healthcare services, improve patient satisfaction, and bridge the gaps in healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas of the NOMA catchment area;

WHEREAS NPs have undergone extensive education, training, and certification, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide competent and compassionate care to patients in Northwestern Ontario; Recommendation:

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout recognizes and appreciates the invaluable contributions of Nurse Practitioners in the healthcare system, particularly in the emergency room setting.

2. THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout supports the autonomy of NPs in handling CTAS 3, 4, and 5 cases independently, as well as their collaborative role in assisting MDs with CTAS 1 and 2 cases, recognizing their expertise and ability to provide safe and effective patient care.

3. THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout acknowledges and encourages virtual collaboration between NPs and MDs in the absence of an MD, ensuring that CTAS 1 and 2 cases are effectively managed and treated, thereby promoting seamless continuity of care for patients.

4. THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout recognizes and values the significant role NPs play in maintaining patient health continuity, providing comprehensive care that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and fostering long-term relationships with patients.

5. THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout acknowledges and appreciates the expertise of NPs in referring patients to specialists, writing prescriptions, and ordering specialized testing, thereby enhancing the quality of patient care and facilitating timely access to necessary healthcare services.

6. THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout commits to advocating for the recognition and support of NPs at all levels, including government bodies, healthcare organizations, and the public, to ensure that NPs can continue to make significant contributions to the healthcare system and improve patient outcomes in Northwestern Ontario.

7. THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout will actively engage in initiatives and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the essential role of NPs, promoting their professional development, and advocating for policies that enhance their practice and remove barriers to their full scope of practice in Northwestern Ontario.

8. THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout will collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including nursing associations and healthcare organizations, to promote the advancement and recognition of NPs, fostering an environment that values their expertise and contributions in NOMA healthcare services.

Support a Set-Aside for Northern Ontario within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

WHEREAS employers across Northern Ontario are experiencing a critical shortage of skilled workers, contributing to a shrinking labour market.

WHEREAS, the labour shortage is causing significant economic hardship for Northern Ontario communities, including reduced productivity and business closures; and

WHEREAS population and migration trends to 2021 suggest that Northern Ontario needs 100,000 newcomers by 2041 to sustain current population; and

WHEREAS the success of the federal Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) demonstrates the effectiveness of allocating nomination spots to address regional labour shortages in attracting newcomers to Northern Ontario; and

WHEREAS, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has been expanded from 9,750 nominees in 2022 to a goal of 21,500 nominees in 2024;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of The Municipality of Sioux Lookout urges the Government of Ontario to address the critical labour market shortage in Northern Ontario by allocating 3,000 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program spots to support the region's economic growth and development.

The Corporation of the Town of Smith Resolution Regarding Basic Income Guarantee

WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout supports The Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls’ Resolution #2024-04-074 regarding Basic Income Guarantee; 

WHEREAS the province of Ontario recognizes that the Low Income After Tax (LIM-AT) does not include the cost of housing, food, transportation, etc. and therefore set its low-income workers tax credit for 2021 at $30,000 (up to $38,000) for an individual and $60,000 (up to $68,500) for a household; 

WHEREAS the province of Ontario has recognized the impacts of the costs of inflation (following Covid-19, continued supply chain disruptions due to wars and climate change, and record high profits by companies providing necessities such as food, fuel, and housing) and has increased the low-income tax credit eligibility to $32,500 (up to $50,000) for an individual and $65,000 (up to $82,500) for a household; 

WHEREAS the level of income is one of the most important social determinants of health, and relates to many other determinants including education and literacy, healthy behaviours, one's social environment, and employment and work conditions; 

WHEREAS, low income is strongly correlated with a wide range of negative health outcomes, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and poor mental health, and with shorter life expectancies compared to higher income persons; 

WHEREAS the minimum wage in Ontario and the maximum amounts of financial support available through Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are deeply insufficient to meet the basic needs of full-time minimum wage workers, or of individuals or families drawing OW or ODSP support; 

WHEREAS ongoing, widespread, and rapid changes in labour markets, including due to outsourcing, artificial intelligence, automation, and advance of the "gig" economy, are causing more and more people to be exposed to labour changes beyond their control, adding to their vulnerability to low income; 

WHEREAS basic income is a means by which individuals, families, and whole communities can be less vulnerable to negative changes in health, relationship or family status, and labour markets, and better able to navigate transitions and challenging circumstances; 

WHEREAS, basic Income is money distributed to eligible people, regularly, reliably, and without work requirement, and which, absent other income, should meet basic human needs; 

WHEREAS basic income exists in Canada in the form of longstanding programs like the Canada Child Benefit and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors, programs with demonstrated positive impacts on basic income recipients, economies, and our greater society; 

WHEREAS there is need to establish basic income security for working-age adults in Canada who, at present and in general, lack sufficient social protection against low income; 

WHEREAS there is a growing body of evidence that basic income is not a disincentive on the pursuit or retention of employment and that, further, basic income is more likely to support such pursuit or retention given its stabilizing effect in the lives of people;

WHEREAS the gross cost of a basic income program is reduced to a net cost once various funding options are exercised and the fiscal benefits of basic income are realized (e.g., basic income as a local economic stimulus);

WHEREAS, Canada, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, has the fiscal capacity to support a basic income guarantee for working-age adults;

WHEREAS the call for basic income in Canada has been and is being made by public health authorities, including the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit per its November 2023 report on food insecurity within the health region;

WHEREAS the call for basic income in Canada has been and is being made by many other interests, including a growing number of municipalities in Ontario and beyond, and by a range of provincial and federal parliamentarians;

WHEREAS a 2022 national public opinion poll suggests that six in 10 adults in Canada support the concept of basic income; and

WHEREAS, The Municipality of Sioux Lookout wishes to add its municipal voice to the call for a basic income guarantee for working-age adults in Canada.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1) The Municipality of Sioux Lookout supports the concept of a basic income guarantee for working-age adults to help combat low income and economic vulnerability within our community;

2) The Municipality of Sioux Lookout calls upon the federal and the provincial and territorial governments to collaborate on the design, introduction, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of a national basic income guarantee program for working age adults;

Motion to Move into Closed Session

THAT Council moves into Closed Session at ______ to discuss matters of a general nature as noted below:

• Subject matter relating to a proposed acquisition of disposition of land by the Municipality, pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, Section 239(2)(c) (1 Item: Hillcrest Development)
• Subject matter relating to personal matters about identifiable individuals, including municipal or local board employees (per Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, Sec. 239 (2)(b); (2 Item: Appointments to Council's Boards, Commissions and Committees: membership and CAO Performance Check-In)
  
  

THAT Council ratifies Motion(s)/direction given to Staff relative to the items present in Closed Session on August 14, 2024 as follows:

THAT By-law No. 74-24, Being a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout (August 14, 2024 Regular Council Meeting) be read a first, second and third time, and passed.