Effective December 27, 2025, to January 1, 2026, Building and Planning Services of the City of Greater Sudbury will be offering reduced front-facing services to the public. We will be launching temporary service measures that will give our public and stakeholder groups the ability to provide information to staff and access services during this holiday season.

Submitting Applications 

Building Services: Permit applications from the public or stakeholder groups may be electronically submitted directly through PRONTO. Permit processing times may be impacted during this time. All other inquiries can be submitted directly to Building Services general email buildingservices@greatersudbury.ca.

Planning Services: Applications made under the Planning Act by the public or stakeholder groups may be electronically submitted directly through PRONTO . All other requests can be submitted directly to Planning Services general email planningservices@greatersudbury.ca.

Receiving Permits

From December 27, 2025, to January 1, 2026, Building Services will only be issuing permits through PRONTO to residents or stakeholder groups on an emergency basis where impact to life safety is of concern.

Building Inspections

Building Services will not be conducting regular inspections as of 2 p.m. on December 24, 2025, and will resume on January 5, 2026. Inspections will be granted to residents or stakeholder groups only on an emergency basis where impact to life safety is of concern. Building Services Inspection requests can be directed to the Manager of Inspection Services by calling 311.

The Greater Sudbury labour force survey results for November 2025 are in.

It's been a big week for our post-secondary schools, and what looks to be an even bigger 2025/26 school year.

1. Laurentian University Continues Steady Enrolment Growth

Laurentian University has released its preliminary enrolment figures for the Fall 2025 term, showing stability in its overall student population. The data reveals that the overall student headcount has remained consistent year-over-year.

This stability is driven largely by a resurgence of interest from domestic students. Domestic enrolment has risen by 8%, with gains seen across both undergraduate (+7%) and graduate (+11%) levels. Notably, the university is reporting a historic milestone in its bilingual mandate: 27% of the student population is now studying in a French language degree program, the highest proportion in the university’s history.

While the domestic growth is a positive indication of a recovering reputation and strong community ties, it is counterbalanced by shifting global trends. The university looks forward to building on this foundation, ensuring that student success and the quality of the bilingual and tricultural experience unique to Laurentian remain at the forefront of its mission.

2. Cambrian College Climbs Higher on National List of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges

Cambrian College has climbed the rankings of Canada’s research colleges and placed first in a specific category.

Every year, Re$earch Infosource Inc. compiles its list of Canada’s top 50 research colleges, according to research income. For 2025, Cambrian is ranked 32nd nationally, up six places from the previous year, with more than $4.55 million in applied research funding. It is the 14^th year in a row that Cambrian has made the list.

Among medium-size colleges, Cambrian placed first overall for use of paid student researchers, with 231 student positions created for projects last year. Cambrian also placed third among medium-size colleges for growth of research income from industry partners, which increased year-over-year by 157%. Cambrian also ranked fifth among medium-size colleges for industry funding as a percentage of total research income, sixth for overall growth in research income, sixth for industry research income, and tenth for research partnerships in total, which numbered 61 last year.

Cambrian R&D works with industry partners in the fields of mining, heavy industry, heavy electric vehicle technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and social sciences.

3. Collège Boréal in the 2025 Ranking of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges

For the fourth consecutive year, Collège Boréal’s applied research projects stand out while actively contributing to the growth of Ontario's businesses and organizations.

Research and Innovation Boréal (RIB), Boréal’s research office, has once again been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges for 2025. This achievement highlights the institution’s role as a key partner for the communities and organizations it works with. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, 11 major projects helped advance research in areas as diverse as agriculture, construction, immigration, social innovation, and mental health.

In collaboration with private and university partners, and with the support of funders such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Colleges and Institutes Canada, and the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS), RIB leads meaningful projects. These initiatives support food-waste management, soil rehabilitation, the socioeconomic integration of newcomers to Canada, access to health care for French-speaking communities, and efforts by Indigenous communities to reclaim the natural resources of their ancestral lands.

Greater Sudbury City Council approved the 2026 municipal budget on December 3, 2025, achieving a reduction of nearly 2 per cent from the tax levy increase originally tabled on November 4. The budget includes targeted investments in infrastructure, public safety and employee well-being.

Originally presented as a two-year budget, Council opted to approve funding for 2026 only due to recent organizational changes and upcoming elections. However, the capital budget was readopted for 2026-2027.

For more information about the budget, visit greatersudbury.ca/budget.

The next phase of the City’s Employment Land Strategy Commercial and Industrial Policy Review is now online for your feedback.

As part of the implementation of the Employment Land Strategy a review of the City's current policy framework for commercial and industrial development is being undertaken. The review will examine the City's Zoning By-law and Official Plan and include community engagement to ensure that appropriate guidelines are in place to reflect current industry standards and practices.

The review will include:

• modernizing the commercial and industrial zone categories including simplifying zones and/or definitions, along with related Official Plan policy changes;
• reviewing zone standards with respect to modern requirements (e.g. lot size, frontage, parking ratios); and
• recommendations that respond to specific recurring issues that have been identified by staff as well as those that emerge through discussion with internal and external priority audiences.
  
  

To learn more, visit the Over to You page. Virtual open houses for feedback will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

You are invited to view the newly-updated Downtown Master Plan (DMP) on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at one of two drop-in sessions:

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 5 to 7 p.m.

The sessions will be hosted in the Studio Desjardins at Place des Arts, located at 27 Larch Street

These sessions will reflect the feedback that the City has collected from the community and will support a transparent planning process for this exciting initiative. Residents will have the opportunity to complete a survey, providing thoughts on the implementation of the updated plan.

Once endorsed by Council, the updated DMP will be the blueprint for a more vibrant, inclusive and thriving downtown Sudbury. These improvements capture the evolving needs of our community and are meant to better serve our Greater Sudbury residents and local businesses. Key milestones of the DMP like the construction of the McEwen School of Architecture and Place des Arts have already been realized, while exciting projects such as the Cultural Hub and Event Centre are still underway.

The review of the DMP is now in its last phase, with final completion expected in early 2026.

For more information on the DMP and the review process, visit: https://overtoyou.greatersudbury.ca/

Effective November 3, 2025, the Ontario Building Code (OBC) was amended to support policies under the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 (Bill 17) that amended the Development Charges Act,1997.

These changes impact the timing and process for payment of development charges for non-rental residential developments within the City of Greater Sudbury. This bulletin summarizes the key changes for our residents, builders, and industry partners.

As preparations advance for construction of the new downtown Event Centre, several changes to parking operations — including adjusted rates, lot closures and the introduction of new parking areas — will take effect before the end of the year.

To accommodate construction activity, a section of the downtown core will be fenced off, resulting in a decrease of approximately 270 parking spots. To help offset this impact, the City is establishing new public parking areas, while also implementing additional initiatives.

The full perimeter of the Event Centre construction area will be secured as early as January 1, 2026. The following are the expected timelines for significant parking lot closures and openings:

• Shaughnessy Street West Lot
  (Located across Shaughnessy Street from the Sudbury Theatre Centre.)
  • Unavailable as early as December 1.
• Shaughnessy Street B Lot
  (Located to the south of the former Wacky Wings on Shaughnessy Street)
  • Partial closure as of mid-December.
  • Complete closure as early as January 1, 2026.
• Minto Street Parking Lot
  (Located on Minto Street across from the Sudbury Community Arena.)
  • Partial closure as of mid-December.
  • Complete closure as early as January 1, 2026.
• CP Rail Lot
  • Improvements to the lot are expected to be complete and available for monthly pass holders and daily parking as of mid-December.
• Shaughnessy Street East Lot
  (Located beside the Sudbury Theatre Centre.)
  • Work will be completed to increase available parking spaces. Bylaw Services will communicate with monthly passholders about availability for use of new space.

Monthly Pass Holder Information

Beginning December 1, 2025, monthly pass holders for the Shaughnessy West, Shaughnessy B and Minto Street parking lots will automatically transition to the CP Parking Lot monthly rate. Pass holders may continue using their existing lots until construction barriers are installed.

Free Transit Pilot Program

A pilot program for free transit for event ticket holders will be implemented on event days. Passengers can receive free transit citywide by presenting their paper or electronic ticket for that day to the bus operator, starting two hours before the event and continuing until the end of the day.

The City of Greater Sudbury marked the progress of its 2023 Innovation Blueprint highlighting key milestones and accomplishments during yesterday’s Progress Update event. These achievements have been transforming the local economy and positioning the community as a leader for innovation in clean technology, critical minerals, and health and life sciences.

The Innovation Blueprint outlines a bold vision for Greater Sudbury to lead in emerging industries. That vision is now taking shape through strategic investments, global partnerships, new opportunities for collaboration with First Nation communities and targeted talent attraction efforts that are reshaping the city’s economic landscape.

Key achievements to date include:

• Unlocked new industrial land through infrastructure upgrades and risk mitigation, including an investment of $19 million in Lasalle/Elisabella Industrial Area to support business growth and new development.
• Approved three Employment Land CIP applications, resulting in the creation of 93 full-time jobs and generating $10.6 million in construction value.
• Completed successful global trade missions to Kazakhstan, Japan and Korea, which expanded market access for local firms.
• Strengthened relationships with First Nations partners, with collaboration continuing to grow.
• Fostered health and life sciences advancements through new med-tech investments, expanded clinic services, and the recruitment of new physicians via the Practice Ready Ontario program, providing primary care access to 12,000 residents.
• Achieved talent attraction success, welcoming over 2,700 newcomers through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and recommended 407 candidates through the Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot programs.
• Accelerated innovation and job creation through strategic investments via the Sudbury Catalyst Fund, supporting 12 companies across emerging sectors and contributing $2.97 million to date, resulting in 63 new jobs.

To read more about the progress made, visit https://investsudbury.ca.