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Greater Sudbury had a transformative year in 2024, marked by significant advancements in population growth, housing development, healthcare and economic development. These accomplishments continue to emphasize Greater Sudbury’s position as a thriving and vibrant hub in Northern Ontario.
The latest Statistics Canada estimate placed Greater Sudbury’s population at 179,965—a significant increase from the 2022 figure of 175,307. This surge is attributed to strategic initiatives such as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), which concluded in August 2024 after approving 1,400 candidates and welcoming 2,700 new residents since 2019. Recently, it was announced that Greater Sudbury has been selected for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP).
Housing development remains a key pillar of Greater Sudbury’s growth strategy. Throughout 2024, there were 148 new residential permits and 1,122 permits for alterations or renovations issued, with a total construction value of over $282 million. Developments like Project Manitou, which is creating 349 senior units, and the conversion of a three-storey hotel into 66 residential units showcase the commitment to providing affordable and desirable homes for Greater Sudbury residents. In the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) sectors, the City of Greater Sudbury issued 302 permits, creating a total construction value of over $277 million.
The healthcare sector in Greater Sudbury saw significant growth in 2024, welcoming 12 new family physicians and 22 specialists serving critical fields such as cardiology, oncology and emergency medicine. Through the Practice Ready Ontario program, nine candidates were recruited, with four of them practising in the community as of December.
Film production flourished with 30 projects filming across 397 days, contributing $15.8 million in local direct spending. The city also hosted several major conferences and events, including the OECD Conference of Mining Regions and Cities and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) Conference, which attracted national and international delegations, and highlighted Greater Sudbury’s leadership in mining, sustainability and innovation.
Below is a breakdown of the projects, growth and data from 2024
With every Economic Bulletin, we will be highlighting a specific project, development, event or news story happening within Greater Sudbury. These are projects that are helping grow the community and continue to showcase Greater Sudbury as a city with unlimited opportunity and potential, and as an ideal place to work, live, visit, invest, and play.
2024 was a Year of Exciting Growth and Progress in Greater Sudbury
2024 was a banner year for Greater Sudbury, marked by transformative developments and agreements, along with milestone achievements that reflect the City’s commitment to growth, innovation and a vibrant community.
Below are some key highlights from the year.
WestJet Returns to the Greater Sudbury Airport
After a five-year absence, WestJet announced that it will return to the Greater Sudbury Airport with the launch of nonstop service between Greater Sudbury and Calgary starting June 12, 2025. This twice-weekly route marks a historic milestone, connecting the community to WestJet’s global hub, enhancing travel opportunities for business and leisure, and linking the region to economic and cultural opportunities in Alberta and beyond.
New Event Centre to Open in 2028
In a landmark decision, the City Council approved the construction of a new Event Centre in downtown Sudbury’s South District, marking a bold step toward a vibrant future. Slated to open in 2028, this state-of-the-art venue will redefine the city’s entertainment and cultural landscape, attracting world-class events, boosting tourism and driving new investments. Designed to align with Council’s vision, the Event Centre will play a central role in revitalizing downtown, fostering economic growth and establishing Sudbury as a regional hub of activity.
Cultural Hub Becomes a Reality
The Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square achieved major milestones in 2024. Teeple Architects, in partnership with Two Row Architect and Yallowega Architecture, was selected to design the project.
In September, the project secured over $25 million in federal funding through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program (GICB) and the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP). The schematic design was released in the fall, sparking excitement over the potential of the space. With construction set to begin in mid-2025, public consultations will continue to ensure the Hub becomes a dynamic space for creativity and culture in Greater Sudbury.
Showcasing Greater Sudbury on the World Stage
In 2024 Greater Sudbury hosted several major conferences and events like FONOM, OECD Conference of Mining Regions and Cities, BEV In-Depth: Mines to Mobility, Canadian Ninja Championships, NORCAT Mining Transformed, Nordic Ski-Ontario Cup and Up Here 10 to name a few. Greater Sudbury was also represented at major global events like PDAC 2024 and MINExpo in Las Vegas. By hosting and attending these events, Sudbury’s mining expertise, innovation, investment potential and leadership was highlighted and celebrated.
Greater Sudbury on the Big Screen
Greater Sudbury proudly hosted 30 film and television projects in 2024, showcasing our breathtaking landscapes, heavy industrial settings and unique blend of small-town and urban atmospheres. We are thrilled by the productions that chose to film here in Greater Sudbury and grateful to our community for their warm welcome. Highlights include the third season of Shoresy being released on Bell CraveTV; Rever en neon, which premiered to sold-out theatres at Cinefest and will air on CBC; Murderbot, starring Alexander Skarsgård, set to stream on Apple TV+; and the feature film Ripping Off Othello, filmed entirely with local talent.
A Year of Growth and Connection
From new housing developments to new partnerships with multinational companies and thriving community initiatives, combined with the City’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation and collaboration, Greater Sudbury continues to be a destination of choice for residents, businesses and visitors.
