This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 49949fab9402 · verified 2026-06-10 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - 1
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
2021-2025
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Contents - 2
Contents
Photo Acknowledgement
3
Executive Summary
4
CSWB Plan Strategies
5
Message from Mayor Doug Lawrance
6
Message from Municipal Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Larose
7
Community Safety and Well-Being
8
Community Safety and Well-Being Plans
8
Advisory Committee
8
Community Background
9
Demographics
10
Community Safety and Well-Being in Sioux Lookout
11
Factors Impacting Community Safety and Well-Being in Sioux Lookout
12
Provincial Community Safety and Well-Being Planning Framework
16
Plan Guiding Principles
17
Identifying the Priority Areas of Focus
19
Priority Areas of Focus
19
Role of the Municipality and Partners
23
Priority Areas Strategies
24
I. Appropriate and Affordable Housing
24
II.
Mental Wellness
25
III. Substance Misuse and Addictions
25
IV. Crisis Services' Capacity for Incident Response and De-escalation
26
V.
Employee recruitment and retention
27
VI. Community cohesiveness and vibrancy
27
Implementing the Plan
29
Performance Measurement Framework
29
Appendices
32
Community Survey
32
Data Tables and Figures
33
References
38
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Photo Acknowledgement - 3
Photo Acknowledgement
We thank Tim Brody / The Sioux Lookout Bulletin
for the photos included in this plan.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Executive Summary - 4
Executive Summary
These six priority areas of focus each have expanded into a strategy for change with supporting goals and
key activities. To see these strategies applied in the community, the Plan's inputs and outputs will need to
be affirmed by community stakeholders. Stakeholders must identify a sufficient and realistic level of invest
ment of resources to reach the Plan's goals, and join the Municipality in a community-wide commitment to
them. A Performance Measurement Framework for the Plan's strategies has been developed and is impor
tant to implement so that the community's progress can be tracked and evaluated against the CSWB Plan.
The CSWB Plan is meant to be a living document and should be updated by the Municipality as they move forward with
their partners and stakeholders in the work. When monitoring the progress on the goal outcomes, the Plan's strategic
activities, performance measure indicators, targets and data sources should be revisited to assess that they continue to
be relevant and effective in the current community landscape. The Plan itself will be important for shared strategic plan
ning between community partners of the Plan and informing the community at large of the way forward. In addition, it is
acknowledged that targeted financial resource commitments from senior levels of government will need necessary to
see the Plan's goals to fruition. Collectively, should the CSWB Plan be a successful living document, it will serve to assist
in improving the coordination of services, collaboration, information sharing, advocacy and partnerships among local
government, agencies, and organizations, and ultimately improving the quality of life for Sioux Lookout's residents.
Nick Chauvin, Donna Williams and Susan MacGregor
LBCG Consulting for Impact in partnership with Keesic Strategies
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Executive Summary - 5
Community
Priority Areas
of Focus
Appropriate and
affordable housing
Mental wellness
Substance misuse
& addictions
Crisis Services'
capacity for incident
response
& de-escalation
Employee recruitment
& retention
Community
cohesiveness
& vibrancy
Vulnerable/
Target Group
Individuals & fami
lies of all ages, demo
graphics & social
backgrounds.
Vulnerable populations
such as those facing
poverty, mental health
or addiction issues.
Individuals of any age,
especially youth and
newcomers.
Individuals with expe
riences of addictions
& substance abuse,
including those at-risk,
in crisis, in recovery
& supporting those in
lifestyles of sobriety.
Emergency First
Responders;
Individuals who experi
ence episodes of crisis,
especially those with
mental illnesses or
addictions;
Indigenous peoples.
In-demand skilled
workers;
Youth;
Adult learners.
Individuals & families
of all ages;
Indigenous peoples;
Visible minorities;
Low-income house
holds.
Goal
Outcomes
Outline of how severe
the housing short
age is & who is most
impacted.
Increase the availa
bility of appropriate &
affordable housing at
all levels of economic
attainment.
Vulnerable populations
(such as youth and
adults who move from
northern communi
ties) are identified &
supported while living
in Sioux Lookout.
Youth & families feel
welcomed & supported
living in Sioux Lookout.
Mental Health services
are available & accessi
ble to youth.
Increase the opportu
nities for Sioux Look
out residents to receive
addictions services in
their community, in
person or virtually.
Greater diversity of
addiction services
to cater to different
demographics such as
youth, adults & Indige
nous residents.
An enhanced comple
ment of mental health
& addiction services
in the community to
provide capacity for
wrap-around crisis &
recovery resources.
Front line workers have
resources to aid in
mental health & addic
tion incidents.
Increase the aware
ness/compassion &
skilled policing in the
area of mental health,
addictions & cultural
inclusivity.
Emergency services
have crisis worker
supports & alterna
tives to the detention
system to de-esca
late incidents involving
those in crisis.
Articulate & meas
ure the community's
skilled human resource
needs.
Increase the oppor
tunities available for
youth & young adults
to pursue further
education opportuni
ties.
Increase the supports
& resources for those
with mental health
challenges to acquire &
retain employment.
Support local youth
& adult learners to
acquire skills/ educa
tion to fill sought local
positions to provide
the level of services
to meet community
needs.
Increase the number of
opportunities for resi
dents of Sioux Look
out to celebrate the
rich cultural & natu
ral wonders of the
community.
Increase the engage
ment of community
& surrounding region
in cultural & natu
ral amenities of Sioux
Lookout.
Celebrate Sioux Look
out as a place of rich
cultural heritage.
Long Term
Outcome
Increased community safety & well-being
CSWB Plan Strategies
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Message from the Mayor - 6
Message from Mayor Doug Lawrance
The Municipal Council of Sioux Lookout is pleased to present the Sioux Look
out Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. This Plan has been achieved
through the effort and contributions from many people and agencies in
Sioux Lookout. The Plan provides a summation of our challenges related to
community safety and well-being and also opportunities for improvement.
The inter-connectedness of Sioux Lookout with First Nations and Indig
enous people make us a very unique community. Our role as Hub of
the North for health care, education, social services, travel, retail, and
so much more forms the most significant part of our economic activ
ity. Long standing industries such as tourism and railway continue to
lend diversity to our economy. But it is our inter-connectedness to the
north and the most marginalized population in Ontario when consider
ing social determinants to health that impacts the statistics and percep
tions typically associated with community safety and well-being.
If we are to succeed in improving community safety and well-being in
Sioux Lookout: we will need to maintain our awareness of the value in
upstream investments to improve social determinants to health and
to change systems for the better; we will need to continue to improve
coordination of services, sharing information, collaborating, and partnering; and, we will need to empha
size that improving the safety and well-being in our community is a shared responsibility. We will need to be
proactive and we will need to engage regional, Provincial, Federal, and First Nation agencies in stepping up their
engagements and investments in both services and facilities. If we are to succeed, we must focus our energy
not on those of us who are already safe and well, but on those of us who are routinely unsafe and chronically
unwell and by doing so we increase the capacity for each and all of us to live in our community with dignity.
Sioux Lookout is a special community. We continue to have tremendous opportunity and we continue to thrive. Yet we
see our challenges, we face them, and together we strive to make things better. This Plan will help focus our attention to
continue to make improvements in making Sioux Lookout a safe and healthy community for all our residents and visitors.
Doug Lawrance
Mayor
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Message from the Municipal Chief Admin. Officer - 7
Message from Municipal Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Larose
As the Chief Administrative Officer, I am responsible for providing guidance
and information to our Municipal Council and to lead the municipal administra
tion in meeting the Municipality's fiscal, organizational and service objectives.
The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan is part of the provincial frame
work requiring that all municipalities develop a plan in partnership with a
multi-sectoral advisory committee. As part of the plan development, the
Municipality was required to conduct consultations, establish the contents of
the plan along with monitoring, evaluating, reporting and publishing of the plan.
Our goal is to understand and address the social development,
prevention, risk intervention and incident response for the well-be
ing our citizens. In identifying some of the risk factors, we must
also realize the programs to address them may take many years.
I
would
like
to
take
this
opportunity
to
thank
the
Advi
sory
Committee
members,
community
partners,
stakehold
ers and public who participated in the development of the Plan.
The Plan has allowed us to identify areas in which we can improve upon the safety and well-being of our residents so that
Sioux Lookout becomes a much more vibrant and envied community to live in safely and enjoy a great quality of life.
Michelle Larose, CMO
Chief Administrative Officer
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Community Safety & Well-Being - 8
Community Safety and Well-Being
Improving safety and well-being in our community requires a comprehensive approach that includes improving the
social determinants of health and working towards systems change. Factors such as poverty, unequal access to educa
tion, unemployment and underemployment, poor early childhood development, inadequate housing, crime, social
exclusion, systemic discrimination (including systemic racism), and barriers to accessing health and social services
increase the likelihood that communities will experience unsafe and unhealthy situations. Addressing the root causes
of issues that negatively impact safety and well-being will maximize opportunities for all residents to thrive and sustain
healthy and connected communities. By prioritizing equity across our work and addressing systemic discrimination
we will help achieve our shared vision of inclusion, safety and connectedness for all residents in the community.
Community Safety and Well-Being Plans
Community Safety and Well-Being plans are provincially legislated for municipalities in Ontario under the
Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019. This multi-sectoral approach to community safety and
well-being planning recognizes that more law enforcement is not the answer to complex social problems. A
single organization or sector cannot tackle these complex and interconnected issues alone. Sioux Lookout's
CSWB Plan focuses on how partners can work collaboratively across different sectors towards a shared commit
ment to making Sioux Lookout a safer, more inclusive and connected community where all residents thrive.
Advisory Committee
This Plan was developed with the support and contribution of multiple agencies and organizations in the Sioux
Lookout community. Their involvement was greatly appreciated and critical to the development of the plan, and it
will be critical to look to them and new partners in the community to continue to evolve and implement the plan.
- Al's Sports
- Chamber of Commerce
- CN Police Services
- Firefly
- First Step Women's Shelter
- Sioux Lookout Supportive Housing
- Kenora District Services Board
- Keewatin Patricia District School Board
- Meno Ya Win Health Centre
- Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre
- Northern Nishnawbe Education Council
- Northwestern Health Unit
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Sioux Lookout Out of the Cold Program
- Police Services Board
- Sioux Area Seniors Activity Centre
- Sioux Lookout Gay-Straight Alliance
- Sioux Lookout Library
- Sioux Lookout Rotary Club
- Tikinagan Child and Family Services
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Community Background - 9
Community Background
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout is located in Northwestern Ontario, nestled within a network of lakes, endles
forest and the rugged Canadian Shield.
Known as the "Hub of the North", Sioux Lookout is a major centre that
connects 31 remote northern communities to healthcare and essen
tial services. With the second busiest airport in Northwestern Ontario
and a major VIA Rail stop, the community's central location connects
over 30,000 northern Ontarians in the surrounding communi
ties with health care facilities and programs, education, an expanse
of social services, amenities, and road access to the rest of Canada.
Sioux
Lookout's
resident
population
of
about
5,600
people
live
across
an
area
of
536
square
kilometres,
about a third of which is water.
In Sunset Country, as Sioux Lookout and Northwestern Ontario is widely known, we embrace community, diversity
and the beautiful outdoors found in Ontario's north. Sioux Lookout is special, not only because of what it has
but
because
northern
community
forms
deep
connections
between
places
and
people,
truly making it the Hub of the North.
History
The rich history of life here began over 5,000 years ago with the Anishinaabe peoples. The name Sioux Lookout comes
from this area's use as a strategic vantage point, Sioux Mountain, where guards could see far away canoes approaching
on the English River system and is rooted in the legend of a battle between
the Anishinaabe and Sioux Nations. Sioux Lookout became a strategic
vantage point for the trading of goods, including the fur trade and forestry.
The Town of Sioux Lookout was incorporated in 1912 when it was
connected to the rest of Ontario via the railway. It went from being a
railway divisional point and a leading aviation centre in the early 1900s,
after which in the 1950s until 1987, the Pinetree Radar Base was a key
employer. Today, Sioux Lookout continues to be a hub of forestry,
health care and social services, education and tourism in Ontario's north.
People
The people who live here are diverse, vibrant and progressive. As an ethnically diverse community, Sioux Lookout has a large
Indigenous population,1 along with a smaller number of individuals who have come from all over the world to make Sioux
Lookout their home. Sioux Lookout embraces new technologies, cherishes the abundant natural resources and provides
advanced health and social services to all members of our community. Sioux Lookout has close connections with the
neighbouring First Nation communities and they come together to strengthen the region's economy and quality of life.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Community Background - 10
Demographics
Key Industries
The state-of-the-art Meno Ya Win Health Centre is an integral part of the community and a major employer,
serving the 31 northern First Nation communities in addition to the Municipality. The largest percentage of the
labour force (by industry) in Sioux Lookout is employed in the Healthcare Industry, which accounts for 25% of
the labour force compared to 10% for Ontario.2 Other prominent community employers include educational
services, public administration, transportation and warehousing, and Indigenous organizations. Forestry continues
to contribute to the economy and several Tribal Councils and Indigenous agencies are also based in Sioux Lookout.
Age Profile
Population Estimates
2016
2019
2024
2029
5,272
5,648
5,968
6,359
65+ years
11%
15 - 64years
69%
0 - 14 years
20%
Median & Average Age
Sioux Lookout
Ontario
Median Age
36 years
Average Age
37 years
Median Age
41 years
Average Age
41 years
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Community Safety and Well-Being - 11
Community Safety and Well-Being in Sioux Lookout
The Ministry of Solicitor General defines community safety and well-being as "the ideal state of a sustain
able community where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging, opportunities to participate, and
where individuals and families are able to meet their needs for education, health care, food, hous
ing, income, and social and cultural expression." This emphasizes that community safety and well-be
ing is more than just having our basic needs met and being free from crime. Rather, it encompasses the
social determinants of health and many aspects of our social, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Through
engagement
with
residents
of
Sioux
Lookout,
we
learned
about
what
commu
nity
safety
and
well-being
means
to
members
of
our
community.
Sioux
Lookout
community
responses via the online survey to "What Community Safety and Safety means to you?" included:
"Everyone feels connected to the larger community, community members share a
common regard for their neighbours regardless of their disposition in life, such that they
take action to be involved in proactive solutions to identified community challenges, are
open to learning, new ways of understanding and thinking about challenges to create a
community attitude that sees everyone as having a role to play in building a community
that we can all feel safe and included."
"Entrepreneurial endeavors are supported by the Municipality in a way that allows our
community to flourish and grow."
"Creating a welcoming environment where all residents and visitors feel free to go about
daily activities and receive the support they require to live a healthy lifestyle in the
community in which they have chosen to reside."
"The ability to offer all community members equal services regardless of ethnicity, race,
or background. It means everyone feels safe to be successful and express themselves. It
means the elimination of discrimination, access to housing for all, and the ability to find
meaningful work. When people feel as though they are meaningful, they strive - their
well-being increases and the level of safety in a community increases as well. When every
one has a part to play, they play their part!"
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Community Safety and Well-Being - 12
Factors Impacting Community Safety and Well-Being in Sioux Lookout
COVID-19 Pandemic
The global COVID-19 pandemic and the provincial state of
emergency declared in March 2020 has created a unique envi
ronment and new challenges that we collectively face as a
community. Nationally, it has resulted in waves of widespread
closures, job or wage losses, increased anxiety and uncertainty
and drastic changes in how we live our daily lives. While the
impact of in closures and job losses the Sioux Lookout commu
nity may have been less that felt in other parts of the Province,
we continue to find ourselves navigating this unprecedented situ
ation, there will potentially be significant long-term impacts not
yet understood that will have impacts on community well-being.
Mental Health and Well-Being
Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood as it affects
how we think, feel, and act. It influences how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. In the CSWB
Resident Survey, 83% of participants described their mental health as Excellent (19%), Very Good (27%) or Good
(37%). While only 4% of survey participants described their mental health as Poor, it can be expected that the
online survey is likely under-representative of the most at-risk or vulnerable population who may suffer from mental
health issues. Addiction and mental health (often co-related) issues are prevalent in the community. Emergency
Department visits for mental health and additions at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre have reached
levels 10 times greater than provincial rates.3 Addiction and mental
health issues can be a cause or consequence of other issues such
as; episodic, situational or chronic homelessness, violent crime and
domestic abuse, and loss of culture and intergenerational trauma.
Furthermore, there is a high incidence of youth mental health chal
lenges in the community. The former Sioux Lookout Local Health
Hub (part of the Northern Integrated District Network under the
North West Local Integration Health Network) had the highest youth
hospitalization rates from self-harm, mental health and behavioural
disorders, at ~2.7 times the provincial rate.4 Most mental health
and addictions programs target adults and there are few resources
or data that are tailored to youth. As a smaller northern community,
there are fewer drop-in centres or recreational activities in Sioux
Lookout to stimulate and engage youth from all backgrounds. Positive programming for youth helps promotes health
and well-being, builds confidence, and can help maintain mental health while reducing the risk for substance use.
Employment
Employment is one of the most fundamental factors influencing health and quality of life outcomes, where paid
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Community Safety and Well-Being - 13
work is the primary tool for the distribution of economic wealth in society. Sioux Lookout's Municipality has a higher
median ($49,803) and average income ($53,512) compared to provincial figures.5 Still, as much as 41% of the Sioux
Lookout workforce was found to make less than $30,000 in 2015, well below provincial and national averages.6
The top industries in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout are health care, education, social services, transpor
tation and warehousing, public administration, and tourism. Over the last decade several hundred million
in capital projects have been completed including the new hospital (Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health
Centre), the Heritage Railway Station, continued downtown revitalization initiatives, the MNRF Fire Manage
ment Centre, the airport expansion and the court facility.
As the Hub of the North, Sioux Lookout connects over 30,000
people to hospital and related health care, social and education
services. The resultant demand creates a local "service" economy
in Sioux Lookout, resulting in a greater demand for professional
job roles with higher educational requirements than the average
northern municipality of its size. Just as most rural communities
struggle with recruitment and retention of in-demand profes
sionals, this challenge has routinely left vacancies for job post
ings needed to reach full-service levels. In the CSWB Resident
Survey, 87% of participants agreed that they have been able to
find employment in Sioux Lookout and 77% agreed that Sioux
Lookout has the employment opportunities that they are inter
ested in. 78% of survey participants agreed that their level of education or training has given them the qualifi
cations for the jobs they want. However, the survey participant profile was overly representative of those with
higher levels of education and under-representative of those without any level of education (i.e. did not finish
high school) or those with a high school diploma as their highest level of education, so those who have expe
rienced educational barriers when seeking employment may not have been fully represented in the survey.
Sioux Lookout is aware of the shortage of economic development opportunities and a legacy of economic
exclusion in First Nation reserves that continues to manifest in high unemployment and poverty in those
communities. Closely tied to these communities by fluid population movement back and forth, Sioux
Lookout sees a steady population of vulnerable individuals who come to Sioux Lookout for services,
or to stay, contributing to Sioux Lookout's episodic, situational, and chronic homeless population.
Education
Education plays an important role in determining the health
status of an individual, creating pathways to employment and
greater income levels. This can also affect health by influencing
social and psychological factors like greater perceived personal
control.7 Currently, 15% of Sioux Lookout residents have no
certificate, diploma or degree which is more than the provincial
average (10%).8 In the CSWB Resident Survey, 70% of partici
pants agreed that they have been able to pursue the level of
education or training they want, however, only 36% agreed that
the educational or training opportunities they want have been
available in or remotely from Sioux Lookout.9 There are satel
lite campuses of Confederation College and Seven Generations Education Institute located in Sioux Lookout,
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Community Safety and Well-Being - 14
however many students have chosen to leave the Sioux Lookout region to receive post-secondary education.
Most of the Indigenous youth who grew up on-reserve in the Sioux Lookout region must live away from their home
community to attend high school. Approximately 65% of the student and youth population in Sioux Lookout are
Indigenous10 and approximately a third of public school students are from northern First Nation communities. There
is also Pelican Falls First Nations High School with 182 Indigenous boarding students. For those who choose to stay
in their home community to finish their high school education or are on the waiting list to be matched with a board
ing home, WAHSA Distance Education Centre allows students to complete their secondary education remotely.
Housing
Housing is undeniably the number one concern raised by Sioux Lookout residents. The population in Sioux
Lookout is exploding. In the last 25 years, the population has grown 62%.11 In the CSWB survey, strate
gies for increasing available and affordable housing was the number one ranked priority with 270 votes and
a 25% greater ranked score than the second-highest ranked priority; strategies for increasing mental health
services. There is strong evidence corroborating housing's relationship to health, one of the best-researched
social determinants of health. Housing stability, quality, safety, and affordability all affect an individual's health.
There is a shortage of affordable and available hous-
ing across the Municipality. This has been a long-
term challenge faced by the community, existing
for decades. Only 31% of CSWB community survey
participants agree that they have access to afforda-
ble housing options in Sioux Lookout, and 93%
agreed that access to affordable housing is a chal-
lenge in the Municipality. The percentage of renters
in Sioux Lookout (38%) is greater than the provin-
cial average (30%).12 It is reported that 17% of Sioux
Lookout spend 30% or more of household total
income on shelter costs, exceeding the healthy
household rent burden benchmark.13 The median
monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings in Sioux
Lookout exceeds the provincial median by 8%.14
Emergency shelter usage in Sioux Lookout has continued to grow, with demand consistently exceeding the
limited capacity of the shelters. There is the co-ed Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter in addition to the First
Step Women's Shelter that is exclusively for female victims of domestic violence and their children. In 2019, the
Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter had a total of 5,888 guest nights between 768 unique individuals.15 Typically,
reasons for shelter use include: being in town for medical services, recent release from jail or the justice system,
missed transportation, fleeing violence, having been kicked out of 'home', or having no place to go/no home.16
There are limited for transitional and supportive housing units in Sioux Lookout. Currently, there is the 20-unit
Supportive Housing Complex for high needs individuals, in addition to the Sioux Towers and Patricia Plaza which
provides supportive living for seniors, whereas there is no transitional housing in Sioux Lookout. Supportive hous
ing helps provide housing for adults living with physical or mental health disabilities or issues, or terminal/chronic
illnesses so they can enjoy living with more independence, care, and increased quality of life. Transitional housing
helps divert individuals from shelters or from staying on the streets, providing essential short-term housing for indi
viduals. This especially supports victims of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence. Limited housing resources for
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Community Safety and Well-Being - 15
discharge planning from regional correctional facilities and out of town detox programs are also creating difficult
conditions for individuals returning to Sioux Lookout from these facilities. It is difficult for individuals to heal from
unsafe environments when they can't secure new accommodations or have continuity of services in Sioux Lookout.
The 20 long-term care beds at the William "Bill" George Extended Care Unit, operated by the Sioux Look
out Meno Ya Win Health Centre, amounts to roughly one bed for every 1,500 people in the region, well below
the provincial average. A limited number of long-term care beds places strain on hospital services. This causes
individuals who need long-term care occupying alternative level of care hospital beds in the interim, and in the
long-term it forces people to go elsewhere such as Kenora or Fort Frances. This is a significant distance away
from the resident's home community and oftentimes isolates them from their family, language and culture. The
development of new long-term care beds is a lengthy process. There are plans for the development of addi
tional 76 beds currently in progress. These additional beds will improve the ratio to one bed for every 312 people.
Commercial real estate is also at a premium and in limited supply in Sioux Lookout. This creates challenges for busi
nesses, organizations and community groups looking to secure facility space to expand or deliver programming.
Crime and Safety
Addressing concerns about crime and safety was voiced by many Sioux Lookout residents when asked what is needed
to improve community safety and well-being in Sioux Lookout. In the CSWB Community Survey, 34% of participants
shared that they felt unsafe in the community in general, with 73% feeling unsafe walking alone downtown after dark.
Alcohol and drug abuse are catalysts for many incidences including violent altercations, intimidations and
other disturbances which impact community well-being and safety. The level of violent crime in the region is
approximately 4.5 times the provincial rate.17 This is felt by Sioux Lookout residents as 46% of surveyed partic
ipants think that Sioux Lookout has higher rates of crime than other communities in Ontario (41% about the
same; 13% lower).18 In all, 66% of survey participants felt that their perceptions of safety and crime affect
where they go and when; either significantly (12%), quite a bit (18%) or somewhat (33%). It is worth noting
that significant gains are being made as rates of violent crime has gone down 35% between 2017-2020.19
Many offenders in the justice system are people suffering from mental health and addictions issues,
and are often homeless. Adult and Youth Detention Centers are located outside of Sioux Lookout which
requires significant travel back and forth and a resultant disconnect between families and communities.
The Sioux Lookout OPP Detachment experiences higher than average officer turnover due to the frequency of
requested transfers south.20 This results in the routine placement of new officers who do not have a longstanding
familiarity with the history and context of the Sioux Lookout region. This presents a continued need for local contex
tual training and education and a challenge when trying to establish long-term community relationships with officers.
The urban planning of Sioux Lookout also presents a unique safety challenge for the commu
nity. The presence of the Trans Canada rail line through the downtown area creates community safety
risks, as a busy national rail line runs directly through the main business center of the community.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Provincial Framework - 16
Provincial Community Safety and Well-Being Planning Framework
The Ministry of the Solicitor General outlines a planning framework to support municipalities in developing a comprehen
sive approach to mitigate harm and promote safety and well-being. The framework outlines four levels of intervention:
Sioux Lookout's CSWB Plan consists of strategies and actions that fall within the four levels of inter
vention
while
focusing
our
collective
efforts
on
social
development
and
prevention.
Ulti
mately, the goal is to reduce the need for incident response by addressing underlying issues.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Plan Guiding Principles - 17
Plan Guiding Principles
Anti-racism
A history of systemic marginalization of Indigenous peoples has manifested as continued inequitable outcomes at
the community level. Indigenous residents experience a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality, lower levels of
educational attainment, and fewer economic opportunities.21 These experiences require sustained proactive action
and focus, which places Indigenous residents at risk of competing priorities and burnout when advocating for them
selves. When talking about inequitable outcomes, is important to recognize that Indigenous peoples in Canada are
not another equity-seeking group, as they are the original inhabitants of this land and are in fact sovereign peoples.
In the CSWB Community Survey, 90% of participants agreed that there are racist attitudes and/or behav
iours present in Sioux Lookout. While the survey profile has its limitations as is not a fully communi
ty-wide poll, the level of awareness of this issue and the ability to speak to this says a lot about the
motivation of the sample of the community to address racism and its inherent impacts. Awareness is a
huge step in addressing racism and shows a commitment from the community towards an acknowledge
ment of the issue, which is a necessary step towards empowering those that are oppressed through racism.
Applying an equity lens
Applying an equity lens is a consistent theme throughout the CSWB Plan. Equity refers to fair, just and respectful
treatment that recognizes and acknowledges the need to treat people differently depending on their needs and
circumstances. It involves the removal of barriers to address historic and current disadvantages for under-repre
sented and marginalized groups. Marginalized populations face inequities in access and outcomes due to systemic
barriers and historic disadvantage. This hinders their ability to feel safe and live to their full potential. As part of an
equity lens, there will be consideration of anti-racist, anti-oppressive and culturally safe approaches to the work.
Social determinants of health
The conditions in which people are born, grow, work,
live and age influence their overall health and well-be
ing. These conditions, known as the social determi
nants of health, include social and economic factors
that can positively or negatively influence health
outcomes.22 The social determinants of health can
include income, employment and working condi
tions, education and literacy, childhood experi
ences, physical environments, social supports and
coping skills, healthy behaviours, access to health
services, genetic dispositions, gender, culture, and
race/racism. Recognizing that factors outside the
control of individuals can influence their well-being
impacts the types of preventive and upstream meas
ures that are needed to influence population health.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Plan Guiding Principles - 18
Collective Impact
A strategy of collective impact is important for the Plan to be successful. This form of collaboration brings people
together in a structured way towards a common agenda and plan of action to address a complex social problem.23
The collective impact approach is characterized by five core elements that facilitate effective cross-sector collabo
ration and the resulting population-level impacts. The underlying elements of collective impact for the Plan include:
- Common agenda: All participants share a vision for change that includes a common understanding
of the problem and a joint approach to solving the problem through agreed-upon actions.
- Shared measurement: All participants agree on how to measure and report on progress, with a
shortlist of common indicators identified to drive learning and improvement.
- Mutually reinforcing activities: A diverse set of stakeholders, typically across sectors, coordinate a
set of differentiated and mutually reinforcing activities.
- Continuous communication: All players are engaged in frequent, structured communication to
build trust, assure mutual objectives and create common motivation.
Partnerships are critical to addressing the community risk issues. Many community challenges cut across multiple
sectors and government ministries, therefore coordination and activities by several community agencies will be
needed to achieve the Plan's goals. The CSWB Plan strategies will enhance partnerships within the community and
increase inter-agency partnership. The support of agencies' senior leadership is critical, to empower staff to prioritize
partnerships and sustain and build momentum for cross-agency initiatives when faced with competing job priorities.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Identifying the Priority Areas of Focus - 19
Identifying the Priority Areas of Focus
Community safety and well-being plans are broad and multi-faceted. They encompass many areas and intersect with
many sectors. A combination of research, a review of existing data and community reports, and input fro system leaders
and community stakeholders was used to identify where to focus collaborative efforts for the Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan.
The challenges present in Sioux Lookout are interrelated and can create a positive feedback loop
of negative consequences. This was explored with the CSWB Advisory Committee, as the relation-
ship between various conditions, causes, core problems and effects/consequences were explored. This
helped affirm that the issues facing Sioux Lookout were interconnected and that multiple priority areas
of focus would be necessary to best address the factors that have the greatest impact on the community.
Through this process, six priority areas of focus were selected:
I. Appropriate and affordable housing
II. Mental wellness
III. Substance misuse and addictions
IV. Crisis Services' capacity for incident response and de-escalation
V. Employee recruitment and retention
VI. Community cohesiveness and vibrancy
Priority Areas of Focus
I. Appropriate and Affordable Housing
Appropriate housing is defined as accommodations that match the needs of the occupant(s), in
that it is safe, adequately maintained, accessible and suitable in size.24 For instance, Social Hous
ing Accommodation Regulations consider housing as overcrowded if more than two people must share
a bedroom, and if an individual over 18 must share a bedroom with another member of the household.
In Canada, housing is defined as affordable if it costs less than 30% of a household's before-tax income. Many people
think the term "affordable housing" refers only to rental housing that is subsidized by the government. In reality, it's
a very broad term that can include housing provided by the private, public and non-profit sectors. It also includes all
forms of housing tenure: rental, ownership and co-operative ownership, as well as temporary and permanent housing.
There
is
an
imperative
need
for
strategies
that
address
appropriate
and
afforda
ble
housing
shortages
experienced
in
Sioux
Lookout
throughout
the
housing
spectrum.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Identifying the Priority Areas of Focus - 20
The Housing Spectrum
Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
In June 2018 the Municipality and community partners organized the Northern Housing Summit, bringing public and
private organizations and contractors to Sioux Lookout. The Summit has been credited with facilitating an honest pres
entation of the building experience in the north to venders and partners. While the Summit was a resource-intensive initia
tive, the importance of sustaining and replicating this educational awareness will be important to sustain other activities.
In 2018, the Kenora District Services Board executed its first Homelessness Enumeration. Baseline data is vital
to understanding the challenges of homelessness and the extent of
homelessness in the District. Three-hundred-ninety-three individu
als were found to be homeless in the District of Kenora, 66 of which
were from Sioux Lookout25 - this is 17% of the District's homeless
count, whereas Sioux Lookout is only about 8% of the District's popula
tion. Additionally, this places Sioux Lookout's homeless at about 1.18%,
which is one of the highest rates of homelessness in the Province.
Sioux Lookout's Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter is under-resourced
to meet the growing demands of shelter usage. In 2019 the shelter usage
peaked at 768 unique individuals which in comparison is equivalent to about
20% of Sioux Lookout's population.26 In 2010 there was 3,500 person night
stays, which increased to 5,000 person night stays a year today, which is
already limited by the shelter's capacity and otherwise could have risen
higher.27 Furthermore, conditions do not meet basic needs for privacy or
gender separation. There is no provision for youth. The capacity to deal with
mental health and addictions issues and medical care needs are limited. Due
to lack of space, resources, staff, and inability to provide the noted sepa
rations, many people are being denied the basic human right of shelter.28
In 2018, the Kenora District Services Board opened the 20-unit Support
ive Housing Complex to assist individuals who struggle with complex chal
lenges in maintaining their housing and culture. These individuals otherwise
can be caught in a perpetual cycle of trauma, which results in unsustainable
pressure on emergency, health, social and judicial services. For instance, the
provision of mental health and addition services is not part of the provincial funding model for emergency shelters,
and since the opening of the Supportive Housing Complex, the Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter has experienced
some relief in the reduction of chronic unhoused individuals with mental health or addictions challenges. Addition
ally, in a comparison conducted between the four months before versus after moving in, the 20 residents of the
Supportive Housing Complex collectively required 188 fewer calls for services a decrease of 56%.29 This decrease
in the calls for service can be annualized to an estimated cost savings of approximately $190,000 per year. 30
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Identifying the Priority Areas of Focus - 21
II. Mental Wellness
Mental health and wellness related services and supports in rural and northern Ontario communities are less
comprehensive, available and accessible than in urban areas. The health status of a population is commonly
seen to be inversely related to the remoteness of its location.31 Additionally, the colonial legacy of the
Federal Government further impacts the larger demand for mental health services as Indigenous peoples
can trace their experiences poor mental health and addictions to trauma caused by colonialism, forced reloca
tion from traditional lands, removal of children, residential schools and the erosion of land-based economies.
Youth in Sioux Lookout are particularly challenged by their mental health. The Sioux North High School
reports that 23% of its students have anxiety disorders.32 At one point there was about 12 known youth living
in Sioux Lookout who had dropped out of school, were unemployed, frequented the streets and had prob
lems with substance abuse.33 The OPP reported 194 youth incarcerations, and 172 charges in 2015.34
Between 2017-2020, the Keewatin Patricia District School Board implemented the Saakihitiwaac Tipenchikaywin (A
Loving Family) project that targeted at-risk youth, with a focus on at-risk and Indigenous youth. The project provided
proactive and preventative programs as well as alternative learning therapies that include a strong cultural compo
nent and link to their communities with
the goal of impacting high school grad
uation rates of youth at risk for leaving
school. By building capacity to develop
problem solving skills and address
trauma through these modalities, youth,
many
of
whom
are
Indige
nous,
were
assisted
to
graduate.
III. Substance Misuse and Addictions
An addictions treatment centre would allow people the opportunity to secure treatment within the commu
nity when they are ready for it. Currently, people do not have access to treatment due to long wait
lists and/or the inability to travel long distances to the treatment centre locations that exist in the
region. People need to be close to their families and support systems in a culturally appropriate setting.
Heavy drinking is 40% higher in the Kenora District than Ontario as a whole (25.5% vs. 18.2%),35 however,
there are currently no detox beds in Sioux Lookout. In 2018 there were over 5,500 in-custody (overnights) in
the OPP Detachment detention cells (an average of 12.5 people per night or the equivalent of 1 night per resi
dent).36 This has trended up steadily - whereas in 2013 the number was 3,906. It is estimated that 4,200
of those stays are directly related to mental health and addictions/drugs and alcohol. The health system
currently has no capacity or facility to handle this in Sioux Lookout. Emergency Department visits at our hospi
tal continue to rise - over the past 10 years from 13,000 to approximately 24,000 in 2018.37 Police officers
are forced to make choices - leave intoxicated/ incapacitated people on the street, call an ambulance, or take
them into custody. There are discussions to repurpose the current Long Term Care beds into a detox facility
once the new LTC operational funding is approved, however, this opportunity will take some time to be realized.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Identifying the Priority Areas of Focus - 22
IV. Crisis Services' Capacity for Incident Response and De-escalation
Over
the
past
decade,
police
have
increasingly
been
called
to
situations
involving
individuals
who are facing mental health crisis, addictions, homelessness and other complex social issues.
Although police and emergency response are often the first points of contact in these situations, they
are a temporary fix and do not address the need for long-term supports in our community. Providing special
ized service for those with trauma or who are experiencing mental health crises is not included in the skillset of
all frontline workers. To help improve Emergency response workers' ability to better serve vulnerable residents
of Sioux Lookout, there are training opportunities like Bimaadiziwin38 at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health
Centre or Shkaabe Makwa's Project ECHO39 delivered virtually by the Centre of Mental Health and Additions.
A focus on prevention and getting people access to the supports they need in the community before they end
up in crisis is necessary. A rich body of evidence also demonstrates that investing upstream in social, health and
community infrastructure and preventive services can ultimately improve health and social outcomes and prevent
crime. In 2020, Sioux Lookout's OPP Detachment concluded a Mobile Crisis Unit pilot project in partnership with
the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. The pilot had Crisis Support Nurses respond alongside OPP officers
and over 11 months in 2019 responded to 496 encounters diverting 449 hospital visits.40 With the conclusion of
the pilot, the initiative is continuing through a collaborative project between the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU),
Sioux Lookout OPP, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) and Canadian Mental Health Associ
ation, Kenora Branch (CMHA) in the formation of a Crisis Response and Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach Team.
V. Employee Recruitment and Retention
Education is critical to enhancing local talent and creating a pipeline of residents who can fill job openings.
If Sioux Lookout residents can see the local demand for skilled professionals as career opportunities for them
selves, and the pathways for them to pursue the appropriate education and
training are fostered, then the need to recruit and retain employees from
outside of the Sioux Lookout region may be able to be alleviated in the future.
In October 2019, the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board
(SLAAMB) organized their first Career Fair, hosted at the Sioux North High
School. The event involved 600 regional students from Sioux North High
School, Dryden High School, Pelican Falls First Nations School, and Sioux
Mountain Public School, who had the opportunity to learn from and ask
questions to 37 different companies and organizations in attendance.
Many youth from fly-in communities enter high school in Sioux Lookout behind
their grade level, needing additional catch up help. In 2012-2013, only half of
Indigenous youth graduated from high school compared to 75% for others.41 To address the chronic shortage of liva
ble housing for Indigenous students in Sioux Lookout, the Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA), a northern Tribal
Council servicing five First Nations communities, constructed two dwelling units, starting the Home Away program with
the completion of their construction in September 2019. The Home Away program has resulted in students thriving
in the new home environment created in these dwellings. The students are not only being given academic opportuni
ties, but also extracurricular ones such as snowmobiling, boating, beading, sewing, snowshoeing, and even an onsite
hockey rink. The nurturing environment created through this system has allowed the students to thrive academically
as well. Currently, students staying in these dwellings have earned 98.9% of their credits for the first semester and
many have grades at or above the Provincial standard.42 This represents a dramatic improvement in achievement for
these students from previous years. As a result, IFNA is currently in the planning stages to add two additional units.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Identifying the Priority Areas of Focus - 23
VI. Community Cohesiveness and Vibrancy
Sioux Lookout and its surrounding area have a long and rich history due to its natural waterways, making it a natural
confluence for travellers first by canoe and later by railway. Indigenous artwork and language can be found across
the community. Annual community celebrations such as the Blueberry Festival bring the community together.
However, there are vocal concerns from community residents about the cohesiveness and vibrancy of the community.
Many residents feel uncomfortable or unsafe (42% during the day and 73% after dark)43 when visiting the downtown
area. There is interest from the community in increasing community interactions, fostering a stronger entrepreneur
ial market to allow for a wider variety of goods and services that are accessible to a greater range of residents, and the
improvement of private and public properties in a manner that reflects a caring and thriving community. The Municipal
ity of Sioux Lookout continues to make efforts to address these challenges as in 2010 there was a commissioned Sioux
Lookout and Hudson Downtown Revitalization Study. The Municipality currently has a Community Improvement Plan.
Role of the Municipality and Partners
For the plan's activities the Municipality's role will predominately be 1 of 3 functions:
1. Advocacy
a.Municipal endorsements
b. Supporting initiatives
c. Lobbying for initiatives
2. Convening
a. Meeting with stakeholder groups
b. Brokering partnerships and committees
3. Monitoring
a. Data collection and reporting
b. Reviewing outcomes
c.Amplifying findings
In the implementation of the Plan the Municipality will enact activities aligned with these func
tions, working with community partners utilizing the four elements of collective impact: common
agenda,
shared
measurement,
mutually
reinforcing
activities
and
continuous
communication.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Priority Areas Strategies - 24
Priority Areas Strategies
I. Appropriate and Affordable Housing
Vulnerable/Target Groups:
The overall housing shortage in Sioux Lookout is impacting individuals and families of all ages, demo
graphics and social backgrounds, however, the impacts are especially felt by vulnerable popula
tions such as those facing poverty, mental health or addiction issues. Any strategy will need to look
at increasing housing in the community broadly as well as housing for "hard to house" populations.
Goal Outcomes:
- Outline of how severe the housing shortage is and who is most impacted.
- Increase the availability of appropriate and affordable housing at all levels of economic attainment.
Key Activities can include:
a. Convene stakeholders for community and regional housing planning and partnerships.
b. Financial support and housing subsidies are identified for families.
c. Educate potential vendors on the unique building environment of Sioux Lookout.
d. Lobby public and private sectors to engage in measures to improve the housing stock in Sioux Lookout.
e. Advocate that Market Priced housing alone will not be sufficient to meet the needs of the community and
that significant investments in subsidized housing will need to be made.
f. Advocate to provincial and federal governments and the private sector for continued and increased invest
ment in housing across the continuum - shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, subsidized hous
ing and market housing.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Priority Areas Strategies - 25
II.
Mental Wellness
Vulnerable/Target Groups:
While mental illness impacts individuals of any age, the youth in Sioux Lookout are at especially high risk due to the
added pressures of relocation (for school and economic reasons), increased poverty, discrimination, cultural barriers and
lack of extracurricular activity. Isolation and boredom and the resulting impacts on mental health can often progress to
addiction and lifelong struggles. Many of the issues facing Sioux Lookout are interdependent and it is important to look
at how impacting one area, such as housing, will create stability and support for those dealing with mental health issues.
Goal Outcomes:
- Vulnerable populations (such as youth and adults who move from northern communities) are identified and
supported while living in Sioux Lookout.
- Youth and families feel welcomed and supported living in Sioux Lookout.
- Mental Health services are available and accessible to youth.
Key Activities can include:
a. Recreational facilities and events are available to youth in the community.
b. Social supports are incorporated into the fabric of the community (inclusiveness, community gatherings,
welcoming events).
c. Mental Health services are provided to youth in an environment they are comfortable in.
III.
Substance Misuse and Addictions
Vulnerable/Target Groups:
Individuals with experiences of addictions and substance abuse, including those at-risk, in crisis, in recovery and
supporting those in lifestyles of sobriety.
Goal Outcomes:
- Increase the opportunities for Sioux Lookout residents to receive addictions services in their community, in
person or virtually.
- Greater diversity of addiction services to cater to different demographics such as youth, adults and Indige
nous residents.
- An enhanced complement of mental health and addiction services in the community to provide capacity for
wrap-around crisis and recovery resources.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Priority Areas Strategies - 26
Key Activities can include:
a. Environmental Scan for mental health and addictions services specific to youth.
b. Planning in place for services across the continuum - prevention, early intervention, intervention, treatment,
and aftercare services.
c. Convene community service providers and stakeholders for the collective implementation of a mental health
and addictions service strategy.
d. Advocate provincial and federal governments and the private sector for continued and increased investment
in wrap-around crisis and recovery services.
IV.
Crisis Services' Capacity for Incident Response and De-escalation
Vulnerable/Target Groups:
Emergency
First
Responders
(law
enforcement,
Emergency
Medical
Technicians,
Crisis
Response, Emergency Care); individuals who experience episodes of crisis, especially those with
mental
illnesses
or
addictions
or
other
marginalized
populations
such
as
Indigenous
peoples.
Goal Outcomes:
- Front line workers have resources to aid in mental health and addiction incidents.
- Increase the awareness/compassion and skilled policing in the area of mental health, addictions and cultural
inclusivity.
- Emergency services have crisis worker supports and alternatives to the detention system to de-escalate inci
dents involving those in crisis.
Key Activities can include:
a. Endorse and support local emergency responders in receiving additional training on Anishinaabe Culture and
Culturally Safe Training.
b. Support, endorse and amplify the reporting of outcomes of the Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach Team .
c. Continue to build on the relationship between community and police with more police involvement in
community groups and forums.
d. Continue to support Makwa Clan initiatives.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Priority Areas Strategies - 27
V.
Employee recruitment and retention
Vulnerable/Target Groups:
In-demand skilled workers; youth; and adult learners
Goal Outcomes:
- Articulate and measure the community's skilled human resource needs.
- Increase the opportunities available for youth and young adults to pursue further education opportunities.
- Increase the supports and resources for those with mental health challenges to acquire and retain employ
ment.
- Support local youth and adult learners to acquire skills/education to fill sought local positions to provide the
level of services to meet community needs.
Key Activities can include:
a. Monitor community skilled human resource gaps by collecting the status of stagnant job vacancies from local
employers.
b. Implement "Building our Own" initiative to grow and develop local youth.
c. Welcome young professionals to the community and endorse local chapters of professional associations.
d. Meet with regional school boards, post-secondary educational institutes and employment agencies to
promote career pathways for Sioux Lookout youth and adult learners.
e. Lobby employers to engage in measures to provide Sioux Lookout residents access to education and job
training for in-demand jobs.
f. Support employers on recruitment, retainment and incentive packages for employment opportunities.
VI.
Community cohesiveness and vibrancy
Vulnerable/Target Groups:
Impacts individuals and families of all ages; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and low-income households.
Goal Outcomes:
- Increase the number of opportunities for residents of Sioux Lookout to celebrate the rich cultural and natural
wonders of the community.
- Increase the engagement of community and surrounding region in cultural and natural amenities of Sioux
Lookout.
- Celebrate Sioux Lookout as a place of rich cultural heritage.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Priority Areas Strategies - 28
Key Activities can include:
a. Update the Municipal Cultural Plan
b. Expand on outdoor experiences such as parks, trails, beaches, and cultural activities.
c. Support the continued and increased expansion of recreational programming, festivals, community gather
ing places and celebrations of Sioux Lookout heritage and diversity.
d. Support, promote and enhance the celebration of Indigenous culture and community through community
feasts, gatherings, welcoming northern students and pow wows.
e. Support collaboration with the Friendship centre and activities of inclusiveness.
f. Proactively address racism and discrimination in the community;
- Local history taught to educate adults and kids,
- Include Elders and Knowledge Keepers in community planning initiatives,
- Promote partnerships with schools and cultural agencies,
- Welcoming services for children - trade show approach, community feasts,
- Inclusivity of Youth and the LGBTQ2S+ community.
g. Lobby public and private sectors to invest and sponsor Sioux Lookout recreation, entrepreneurship and
beautification.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Implementing the Plan - 29
Implementing the Plan
For the CSWB Plan's implementation, appropriate and achievable inputs and outputs will need to be affirmed
by community stakeholders. These stakeholders must then join the Municipality in the commitment to imple
ment them. Inputs comprise of financial, human, material and information resources dedicated to the initia
tive/program (e.g., grant funding, dedicated human and capital resources, agreed partnership, etc.). Outputs
are direct products or services resulting from the implementation of the plan's activities (e.g., multisec
tor collaboration, clients connected to service, development of a plan, completion of a program, etc.).
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout has been and continues to be very proactive in the lobbying to senior provin
cial leaders to assist in address long standing community challenges expanded upon in the CSWB Plan. While
community buy-in, coordination and collaboration are important to make gains on the Plan's goals, targeted finan
cial resource commitments from senior levels of government will need necessary to see the Plan's goals to fruition.
Performance Measurement Framework
A Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) is important so that community progress can be tracked
and evaluated against the CSWB plan. A PMF should correspond with the strategic priorities, as follows:
1. From the plan's strategies, list the identified outcomes, as well as the outputs once they are determined. It is
important to measure both outputs and outcomes - output indicators show that planning partners are doing
the activities they set out to do, and outcome indicators show that their activities and outputs are having the
desired impact or benefit on the community or target group.
2. Develop key performance indicators;
a. Quantitative indicators - these are numeric or statistical measures that are often expressed in terms of
unit of analysis (the number of, the frequency of, the percentage of, the ratio of, the variance with, etc.).
b. Qualitative indicators - qualitative indicators are judgment or perception measures. For example, this
could include the level of satisfaction from program participants and other such feedback.
3. Record the baseline data; information captured initially to establish the starting level of information against
which to measure the achievement of the outputs or outcomes.
4. Forecast the achievable targets; the "goal" used as a point of reference against which planning partners will
measure and compare their actual results against.
5. Research available and current data sources; third party organizations that collect and provide data for distri
bution. Sources of information may include project staff, other agencies, organizations, participants and their
families, members of the public and the media.
6. List the data collection methods; where, how and when planning partners will collect the information to
document their indicators (i.e., survey, focus group).
7. Indicate data collection frequency; how often the performance information will be collected.
8. Identify who has responsibility; the person or persons who are responsible for providing and/or gathering the
performance information and data.
An PMF for the Plan has been started with the goal outcomes, indicators, data sources and reporting frequen
cies. The establishment of baseline data and future targets can be added in future evaluation iterations.
Goal Outcomes
Indicators
Data Sources
Frequency
Outline of how severe the housing shortage is & who is
most impacted.
Number of homelessness and housing waitlist volumes are
decreasing.
StatsCan
KDSB
Annually
Increase the availability of appropriate & affordable hous
ing at all levels of economic attainment.
Number of newly available housing at each economic
housing level.
StatsCan
KDSB
Annually
Vulnerable populations (such as youth and adults who
move from northern communities) are identified &
supported while living in Sioux Lookout.
New attendance numbers at community events and
newcomer events.
Attendance numbers at cultural
and natural events.
Annually
Youth & families feel welcomed & supported living in Sioux
Lookout.
Attendance numbers at community events is increasing.
Attendance numbers at cultural
and natural events.
Annually
Mental Health services are available & accessible to youth.
Number of mental health services available targeting
youth.
Utilization rate of youth-oriented mental health services.
KPDSB
KCDSB
NNEC
SLFNHA
SLMHC
NWHU
Annually
Increase the opportunities for Sioux Lookout residents to
receive addictions services in their community, in person
or virtually.
Number of MH&A services available across the continuum
of prevention/intervention/treatment and aftercare.
SLMHC
SLFNHA
NWHU
Annually
Greater diversity of addiction services to cater to different
demographics such as youth, adults & Indigenous resi
dents.
Number of MH&A services available across the continuum
of prevention/intervention/treatment and aftercare.
SLMHC
SLFNHA
NWHU
Annually
An enhanced complement of mental health & addiction
services in the community to provide capacity for wrap-
around crisis & recovery resources.
Number of wrap-around crisis and recovery resources.
SLMHC
SLFNHA
NWHU
Annually
Front line workers have resources to aid in mental health &
addiction incidents.
Number of incarcerations for mental health and crisis inci
dents is decreasing.
Number of crisis calls utilizing MH&A services are increas
ing.
OPP
SLMHC
NWHU
Annually
Increase the awareness/ compassion & skilled policing in
the area of mental health, addictions & cultural inclusivity.
Number of OPP officers who receive additional training on
Anishinaabe Culture and Culturally Safe Training is increas
ing.
OPP
Annually
Emergency services have crisis worker supports & alter
natives to the detention system to de-escalate incidents
involving those in crisis.
Number of encounters for the Crisis Response and Harm
Reduction Mobile Outreach Team.
Number of MH&A emergency room admissions are
decreasing.
OPP
SLFNHA
NWHU
Annually
CSWB Plan Strategies
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Implementing the Plan - 30
Goal Outcomes
Indicators
Data Sources
Frequency
Articulate & measure the community's skilled human
resource needs.
Scan of local industry needs and vacancies completed
Local employers including
government.
Annually
Increase the opportunities available for youth & young
adults to pursue further education opportunities.
Number of new opportunities available for youth to
pursue post-secondary credentials
Regional colleges, universities,
career colleges, online options.
Annually
Increase the supports & resources for those with mental
health challenges to acquire & retain employment.
Number of initiatives available for employment support
for those with mental health challenges is increasing.
Community service agency
reports, employment Canada
offices.
Annually
Support local youth & adult learners to acquire skills/
education to fill sought local positions to provide the
level of services to meet community needs.
Number of new supports created for potential learners
(e.g., technology, financial, literacy/numeracy support
etc.).
KPDSB
KCDSB
NNEC
KDSB
SLAAMB
Confederation College
Sioux Hudson Employment
Services
Sioux Hudson Literacy Council
Sioux Lookout Chamber of
Commerce
Annually
Increase the number of opportunities for residents of
Sioux Lookout to celebrate the rich cultural & natural
wonders of the community.
Number of new cultural opportunities available to the
community.
Number of new natural opportunities available to the
community.
Parks and recreation service
offerings.
Annually
Increase the engagement of community & surrounding
region in cultural & natural amenities of Sioux Lookout.
Number of individuals participating in recreational and
cultural programming.
Attendance numbers at cultural
and natural events.
Annually
Celebrate Sioux Lookout as a place of rich cultural herit
age.
Increased participation in community events.
Improved feedback on community events.
Attendance rates at community
events.
Community surveys.
Annually
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Implementing the Plan - 31
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 32
Appendices
Community Survey
The Survey had 325 fully completed responses and a total of 493 user interactions. This cumulated to a
participation rate >5% than that of the total population which is a strong sampling.
The survey consisted of 10 pages, and a total of 52 total questions collecting information regarding:
- Education
- Employment
- Housing
- Recreation and Culture
- Mental Health
- Substance Use
- Community Safety and Perceptions of Crime
- Equity in the Community
- Community Well-Being
- Demographic Information
When looking at the survey participant profile in relation to Sioux Lookout's actual community profile there were
the following observations:
- Age: No participants under 18 - When accounting for the absence of this age demographic, the survey partic
ipant profile was otherwise fairly representative of Sioux Lookout's age distribution.
- Education: The survey participant profile was overly representative of those with higher levels of education
and under-representative of those without any level of education (i.e. did not finish high school) or those
with a high school diploma as their highest level of education, so those who have experienced educational
barriers when seeking employment may not have been fully represented in the survey.
- Income: The survey participant profile was fairly representative of the true distribution of household incomes.
- Gender Identity: The survey participant profile saw more participation by those who identified as female.
- Ethnic diversity: 61% of the survey participants identified as Caucasian, with participation from individuals
who identified as First Nation, Metis and visible minorities.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 33
Data Tables and Figures
Table 1: Census Population Over Time and Projected Growth
Region
2006
2011
2016
2019*
2024*
2029*
Sioux Lookout
5,183
5,037
5,272
5,648
5,968
6,359
% Change from
Previous Census
-2.9%
-2.8%
4.7%
/
5.7%
6.5%
Ontario
12,160,282
12,851,821
13,448,494
14,402,859
15,082,674
15,794,576
% Change from
Previous Census
6.6%
5.7%
4.6%
7.1%
4.7%
4.7%
Source: Statistics Canada 2006, 2011, 2016. McSweeney & Associates from Manifold Data Mining Inc. SuperDemograph
ics 2017.
* Census data only accounts for those who answered the census, while Manifold data is an estimate of the entire
population. Because of the difference in methodology, they are not directly comparable.
Figure 1: Age Profile of the Census Population Over Time, 2006-2016
Source: McSweeney & Associates from Manifold Data Mining Inc. SuperDemographics 2017.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 34
Table 2: Age Profile of the Estimated Population, 2019
Characteristics
Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout (%)
Ontario (%)
Total Population
5,648
100.0%
100.0%
0 to 4 years
344
6.1%
5.0%
5 to 9 years
396
7.0%
5.6%
10 to 14 years
400
7.1%
5.9%
15 to 19 years
361
6.4%
5.7%
20 to 24 years
370
6.6%
6.3%
25 to 29 years
391
6.9%
6.7%
30 to 34 years
437
7.7%
6.5%
35 to 39 years
407
7.2%
6.5%
40 to 44 years
358
6.3%
6.4%
55 to 49 years
346
6.1%
6.7%
50 to 54 years
374
6.6%
7.2%
55 to 59 years
435
7.7%
7.8%
60 to 64 years
413
7.3%
7.0%
65 to 69 years
242
4.3%
5.1%
70 to 74 years
154
2.7%
4.2%
75 to 79 years
86
1.5%
3.0%
80 to 84 years
57
1.0%
2.1%
85 years and over
74
1.3%
2.3%
Source: McSweeney & Associates from Manifold Data Mining Inc. SuperDemographics 2019.
Figure 2: Educational Attainment, Age Group 25-64, 2019
Source: McSweeney & Associates from Manifold Data Mining Inc. SuperDemographics 2019.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 35
Table 3: Total Individual Income Levels, 2019
Characteristics
Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout (%)
Ontario (%)
Total population 15 years+
4,507
100.0
100.0
Without income
133
3.0
4.4
With income
4,374
97.0
95.6
Under $5,000
437
9.7
13.7
$5,000 to $9,999
546
12.1
16.4
$10,000 to $14,999
495
11.0
13.0
$15,000 to $19,999
502
11.1
10.5
$20,000 to $29,999
524
11.6
9.3
$30,000 to $39,999
483
10.7
7.4
$40,000 to $49,999
431
9.6
5.8
$50,000 to $59,999
272
6.0
4.5
$60,000 to $79,999
187
4.1
3.5
$80,000 to $99,999
135
3.0
3.0
$100,000 and over
361
8.0
8.4
$100,000 to $124,999
265
5.9
5.1
$125,000 and over
96
2.1
3.3
Sioux Lookout
Ontario
Median total income $
$49,803
$36,975
Average total income $
$53,512
$52,51 1
Source: McSweeney & Associates from Manifold Data Mining Inc. SuperDemographics 2019 (2018 incomes).
Table 4: Sioux Lookout Dwelling Characteristics, 2017. Source: 2019 Community Profile
Characteristics
Sioux Lookout
Ontario
Rented
38%
30%
Median monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings
$1,147
$1,059
Average monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings
$1,100
$1,166
Spending 30% or more of household total income on shelter costs
17%
28%
Median household income
$96,762
$81,820
Average household income
$107,358
$106,649
Source: McSweeney & Associates from Manifold Data Mining Inc. SuperDemographics 2019 (2018 incomes).
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 36
Figure 3: OPP Mobile Crisis Unit Service Statistics: February 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019.
Source: Sioux Lookout OPP Detachment
Table 5: Annual Violent Crime Incident Rates per 100,000 Population
Jurisdiction
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Average
Sioux Lookout
3,289.21
2,495.33
4,213.40
4,839.76
3,916.47
3,750.83
Ontario
789.4
793
805.89
853.98
898.66
828.19
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 35-10-0180-01 Incident-based crime statistics, by detailed violations, police services in
Ontario
Table 6: Mental Health and Addiction Emergency Department Visits per 100,000 Population
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, 2014
6,386
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, 2012
4,114
Northwest Local Health Integration Network, 2012
929
Ontario, 2012
374
Source: SLMHC. https://www.slmhc.on.ca/assets/files/ED_use_and_MHA.pdf
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 37
Table 7: Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter 10-Year Utilization
Measure
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Total Guest Nights
5888
5457
4775
4582
5021
4923
3965
4156
4480
3571
Unique Individuals
768
708
597
585
568
594
651
573
583
465
Did Not Stay Overnight
143
98
63
73
85
76
89
55
36
29
Stayed One Night Only
285
279
276
262
230
265
288
241
252
201
Stayed 2-10 Nights
231
221
184
172
172
165
175
212
212
175
Stayed 11-30 Nights
61
67
43
39
39
55
43
44
53
32
Stayed 31-100 Nights
37
33
19
32
35
23
18
12
17
24
Stayed 101-200 Nights
10
8
7
4
4
7
5
6
6
1
Stayed Over 200 Nights
1
1
1
3
3
3
3
0
3
3
Source: Values provided by Out of the Cold Program
Figure 4: Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter 10-Year Trendlines
Source: Values provided by Out of the Cold Program
6,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 38
References
1
The 2016 Census estimates the Indigenous population at 37% of the total population, but this is perceived to
be under representative and the actual is believed to be much higher.
2
2019 Community Profile for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. McSweeney & Associates.
3
Based on 2012 volume numbers reported in a retrospective study of emergency department use for mental
health and addictions needs in Northwest Ontario. https://www.slmhc.on.ca/assets/files/ED_use_and_MHA.pdf
4
Based on analysis of inpatient discharges between 2008-2015 completed by NWHU in 2017 Child and Youth
Mental Health Outcomes. https://www.nwhu.on.ca/MediaPressCentre/Documents/NWHU%20Child%20and%20
Youth%20Mental%20Health%20Outcomes%202017%20amended.pdf
5
2019 Community Profile for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. McSweeney & Associates.
6
Saakihitiwaac Tipenchikaywin Final Evaluation Report. Keewatin Patricia District School Board. 2020.
7
Mirowsky J., Ross C. Education, personal control, lifestyle, and health. A human capital hypothesis. Res. Ag.
1998;20:415-449. doi: 10.1177/0164027598204003.
8 2019 Community Profile for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. McSweeney & Associates.
9
The CSWB Resident Survey did not see participant by any residents under the age of 18, so these responses
are those the reflection of adults and not youth.
10 Brenda Dovick. Saakihitiwaac Tipenchikaywin Chapter 13 Case Study Two, Pg. 97. Knowledge, Innovation, and
Impact A Guide for the Engaged Health Researcher.
11 Statistics Canada: 1996, 2016, census.
12 2019 Community Profile for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. McSweeney & Associates. Note: values are from
2017 data.
13 2019 Community Profile for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. McSweeney & Associates. Note: values are from
2017 data.
14 2019 Community Profile for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. McSweeney & Associates. Note: values are from
2017 data.
15 Values provided by the Out of the Cold Program.
16 A Sociological Analysis of Root Causes of Aboriginal Homelessness in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. The Canadian
Race Relations Foundation. 2015.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 39
References
17 Based on 2014-2018 incident-based crime statistics in Ontario via Statistic Canada. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
eng/subjects-start/crime_and_justice
18 2021 Municipal Community Safety and Well-Being Survey. LBCG Consulting for Impact.
19 Police Services Board Report for Sioux Lookout. Records Management System January to December 2017 -
2020
20 Verified by the Sioux Lookout OPP Detachment.
21 The College of Family Physicians of Canada. Health and Health Care Implications of Systemic Racism on Indig
enous Peoples in Canada. 2016.
22 Government of Canada. Social determinants of health and health inequalities. https://www.canada.ca/en/
public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html
23 Collective Impact Forum. Collective impact principles of practice. https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/sites/
default/files/Collective Impact Principles of Practice.pdf
24 Gaetz, S.; Barr, C.; Friesen, A.; Harris, B.; Hill, C.; Kovacs-Burns, K.; Pauly, B.; Pearce, B.; Turner, A.; Marsolais, A.
(2012) Canadian Definition of Homelessness. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press.
25 Homeless Enumeration 2018. KDSB. http://www.kdsb.on.ca/Homelessness/2018%20KDSB%20Housing%20
and%20Homelessness%20Report%20-%20A%20Place%20for%20Everyone%20Final.pdf
26 Values provided by the Out of the Cold Program.
27 Municipal Briefing to Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. August 2019 AMO Conference.
28 Municipal Briefing to the Office of the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
September 2019.
29 Numbers shared by the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. Impact of OPP Calls for Service in the First 4 Months of
Operation. Sioux Lookout 20-Unit Supportive Housing Project.
30 Numbers shared by the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. Impact of OPP Calls for Service in the First 4 Months of
Operation. Sioux Lookout 20-Unit Supportive Housing Project.
31 Pampalon, R. "Health Disparities in Rural Areas in Quebec." Journal of Social Science Medicine. 33 no. 4
(1991):355-360.
32 Saakihitiwaac Tipenchikaywin Final Evaluation Report. Keewatin Patricia District School Board. 2020.
33 Saakihitiwaac Tipenchikaywin Final Evaluation Report. Keewatin Patricia District School Board. 2020.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout CSWB Plan - Appendices - 40
References
34 Saakihitiwaac Tipenchikaywin Final Evaluation Report. Keewatin Patricia District School Board. 2020.
35 NWHU Public Health Report Card. 2017.
36 Municipal Brief to Ontario Attorney General. ROMA Conference 2019.
37 Municipal Brief to Ontario Attorney General. ROMA Conference 2019.
38 Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. https://slmhc.on.ca/departments-and-services/traditional-pro
gram/bimaadiziwin/
39 Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. https://camh.echoontario.ca/programs-fnim/
40 Values provided by Sioux Lookout OPP Detachment.
41 Saakihitiwaac Tipenchikaywin Final Evaluation Report. Keewatin Patricia District School Board. 2020.
42 New 'Home Away Community Student Dwelling' Means Success for Students. IFNA. 2020. https://ifna.ca/
new-home-away-community-student-dwelling-means-success-for-students/
43 "How safe do you feel walking alone downtown?" 2021 Municipal Community Safety and Well-Being Survey.
LBCG Consulting for Impact.