The Corporation of the

Municipality of Sioux Lookout

25 Fifth Avenue, P.O. Box 158
Sioux Lookout, Ontario • P8T 1A4
Telephone: (807) 737-2700
Facsimile: (807) 737-3436
www.siouxlookout.ca
MEDIA RELEASE
April 3, 2020
~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ~

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout Provides Updates on

COVID-19 Public Health Crisis and Other Recent Council Decisions

Sioux Lookout, ON – The Municipality of Sioux Lookout remains diligent in monitoring the
emergent public health crisis, COVID-19, as we continue to base decisions on advice and
recommendations from public health officials. “The health and well-being of everyone
residing in Sioux Lookout is of paramount importance to the Municipality,” noted Mayor
Doug Lawrance.

“On Thursday, April 2nd, the Municipality was notified that the first case of COVID-19 was
confirmed in Sioux Lookout,” advised Mayor Lawrance, adding, “all residents must
continue to follow the directives of public health officials. To that end, we direct people to
contact the Northwestern Heath Unit for all pertinent information either online via
https://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19/Pages/home.aspx/ or by telephone at 1-866-468-2240.”

Council met earlier this week to discuss the evolving public health crisis, and made a
number of decisions, including:

• Maintaining the closures of all Municipal facilities to the public through April
30, 2020 (with the possibility of extension, if required), with the exception of the
Hidden Lake Landfill site and the Sioux Lookout Airport, which are maintaining
regular hours of operation. Additionally, as of March 31st, the Provincial
Government has ordered the closure of all parks, playgrounds and similar
outdoor recreational facilities. These closures will remain in place until the
prohibition of use is lifted by the Provincial Government.

• The various air carriers that operate from/through the Sioux Lookout Municipal
Airport are implementing screening of all passengers, in response to an Order
from the Minister of Transport requiring this practice. Additionally, the Sioux
Lookout Municipal Airport has also taken steps to mitigate the spread of the novel
coronavirus by removing some of the seating in the Terminal Building and adding
tape to the floor at the Terminal to facilitate social distancing, as well as
undertaking additional cleaning and sanitizing.
• All Municipal essential services (water and wastewater systems, garbage and
recycling collection, and other essential public works) will continue, as well as
activities related to continuity of governance, and business operations.

• All payments due to the Municipality are still required, but there will be some
flexibility regarding late payments, providing prior arrangements have been made
with the Finance Department. For more information on how to pay your bills,
please refer to the attached guidance document.

• Maintaining the prohibition of Boards, Commissions and Committees

meetings until at least April 30th, and suspending the April Regular Council
Meeting. Council will be holding Special Council Meetings via electronic
participation to deal with matters arising from the COVID-19 public health crisis.

• Postponing the implementation of new water/sewer rates, which were to take

effect on April 1, 2020. Council will review the matter again in a number of months.

• Reviewing the declaration of an Emergency, with the aim of raising public

awareness of the absolute necessity to follow public health recommendations in
light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure the Municipality has the flexibility
to quickly respond to the emerging situation.

• Discussing the local Ad Hoc COVID-19 Community Response Group, which

the Municipality initiated among a variety of local and regional service providers,
agencies, and organizations with the aim of communicating key information among
agencies, and keeping each other informed of developments related to the COVID-
19 public health crisis. The Group meets via teleconference.

• Engaging in a Question and Answer session with senior administrative staff

regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Municipality’s response. Among the
various matters discussed during the Q&A was a discussion regarding the more
vulnerable persons in our community, including those of advanced years, and
those without a permanent home. Council was advised of the formation of the
“Sioux Lookout COVID-19 Vulnerable Persons Committee”, by the Northwestern
Health Unit. The Committee includes representation from a number of
organizations and agencies, including, but not limited to, the Northwestern Health
Unit, the Municipality, the OPP, the Out of the Cold Shelter, the Kenora District
Services Board (which has received provincial funding to support vulnerable
persons in our region during this period), the First Step Women’s Shelter, the
Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre, the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health
Authority, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Emergency Medical Services, health care
agencies and others, to address concerns related to protecting our vulnerable
population. Strategies and options are being pursued to ensure this high-risk

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 segment of our population receives the supports required to weather this public
health crisis.
• Council also addressed routine matters, including Passing a By-law to permit
electronic Council Meetings in cases of emergencies, as is now permitted
under the Municipal Act, resulting from recent legislative changes. This enables
Council to be able to meet via teleconference or other electronic means to
continue to address the public health crisis, as well as ensuring continuity of
governance. Council also awarded the contract to undertake a review and
update of the Economic Development Strategic Plan to McSweeney &
Associates.

In response to the ongoing reduction in Municipal services and operations, the

Municipality has had to make the difficult decision to lay off 42 staff on a temporary
basis. The Municipality is hoping that the layoff is short lived. Measures have been put
into place to support our hardworking and dedicated staff during this difficult time.

“The Municipality will continue to closely monitor the public health crisis and will provide
updates to the community in terms of its impacts on Municipal operations and services,
as new information becomes available,” shared Municipal CAO, Michelle Larose, adding,
“as stated, we will be continuing with the closures and reduced operations through April
30, 2020, however, should the Municipality determine that those closures need to be
extended, in light of public health recommendations, we will revisit and advise at that
time.”

For more information, please contact the Municipal office at 737-2700. For after-hours
emergencies involving roads or water/sewer, please dial 737-1234.

We encourage our residents to visit our COVID-19 dedicated page on the Municipal
website (https://www.siouxlookout.ca/en/living-here/covid-19-pandemic-information-and-
resources.asp), as well as the Municipal Facebook page for ongoing updates from the
Municipality.

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For more information, please contact:

Brian P. MacKinnon, Manager of Corporate Services/Municipal Clerk
807.738.2170 or clerk@siouxlookout.ca

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 Guidance on Remitting Payments to the Municipality of Sioux
Lookout During the Period of Office Closures as a Result of COVID-19
The Municipality wishes to advise the public, with respect to utilities and other payments,
that all amounts owing the Municipality are still due. Members of the public can remit
their payments using the following channels:
• Online banking
• Dropping off payments in the drop-box at the Municipal Office
• Mailing payments via regular post
• Calling the Finance Department with a credit card number

Despite these alternative payment methods, the Municipality recognizes that there still
may be challenges in paying bills on time, therefore, there will be no penalties or finance
changes on any amounts owing between March 16th and April 30th, when the Municipal
Office reopens to the public. If the duration of the Municipal Office closure is extended,
another decision will be made respecting bill payments at that time.

Additionally, if people have pre-authorized payments (PAPs) set-up to pay Municipal bills,
and they wish to suspend these payments due to lack of work, please contact the Finance
Department to make specific arrangements in this regard. Suspending PAPs without first
contacting the Finance Department will result in penalties.

You may contact the Finance Department by calling the Municipal Office at 807.737.2700
during regular office hours.

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