April 28, 2025, Ignace, ON – On behalf of Mayor Kim Baigrie and members of Township Council in Ignace, it is our distinct pleasure to welcome Ms. Lesley Sterling to the position of Clerk Treasurer. Tonight, Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution that supports the hiring of Ms. Sterling as its new Clerk Treasurer reporting directly to the CAO, Aaron Gullins.
“We are so fortunate to have attracted such an experienced professional to our small
northwestern Ontario community. The hiring of Lesley will certainly strengthen our core base leadership team at Township Hall and build the capacity we require to move forward with many new projects in our community. There are no questions that the recent announcement by the NWMO siting this community as Canada’s first ever Deep Geological Repository site is now placing Ignace at the forefront of communities “on the move” clearly illustrating our municipality’s future potential,” stated Mayor Kim Baigrie.
Lesley Sterling is a dynamic and experienced business professional who is excited to launch the next stage in her diverse career in the municipal sector.
As a real estate agent and the former general manager of Northwest Community Futures Development Corporation in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Lesley is passionate about community economic and residential development and is skilled at establishing partnerships and working collaboratively with individuals, business owners, developers, municipal administration and supporting agencies. Her attention to detail, commitment to exceptional customer service, and focus on fiscal responsibility, financial accuracy, governance transparency, legislative compliance and records management make her a solid fit for the Clerk/Treasurer role.
“I'm originally from a small town, and after visiting Ignace and meeting the municipal team, I felt like I had found home. Everyone I've met around town has been so welcoming, and my family and I are looking forward to making Ignace our future long-term home,” stated Ms. Lesley Sterling. “I'm excited to get to know everyone and to help support the new projects that will continue to make Ignace a great place to live and work."
Originally from Vita, Manitoba, about five hours west of Ignace, Lesley is well versed in small town living. A prairie girl at heart, she strives to establish genuine relationships and develop thriving, supportive, active communities. After moving numerous times for her husband’s career with the RCMP, Lesley and her family hope to make Ignace their long- term home and find balance on the shores of Agimak Lake.
Lesley is committed to lifelong learning and professional development. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba, a Bachelor of Applied Communications degree in Public Relations from Mount Royal University, and post-
graduate education including the McGill Executive Development Course, the University of Saskatchewan Empowering Women Leaders Certificate, and the RECO Real Estate Salesperson program through Humber College. Her academic achievements and volunteer service were recognized with one of seven University of Manitoba Leader of Tomorrow Entrance Scholarships in 1997 and one of three SAMRC Gold Excellence Awards in 2002.
In her free time, Lesley enjoys experiencing life with her husband and four children, solving logic puzzles, creating media and spaces with Canva and interior design apps, reading personal development and historical fiction books, kayaking, golfing, improv comedy, and exploring the beauty of Northern Ontario.
