City scuttles tall ships visit

Sault Ste. Marie was one of six Ontario ports asked to host the 2017 tour as part of our celebration of Canada's 150th birthday. The city isn't interested, but Rotaryfest will be asked to look into the idea.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie will decline an invitation to host a cross-Ontario tall ships tour planned for next year.

The decision was made this afternoon by a committee set up by Mayor Christian Provenzano to plan local celebrations of Canada's 150th birthday in 2017.

Sault Ste. Marie was one of six Ontario ports asked to host the tour.

The Royal Canadian Navy was planning to send a warship to the Sault to coincide with the tall ships' visit.

Committee members were concerned about the work and financial risk involved.

The proposed visit falls during 2017 Rotaryfest, so the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie will be asked whether it wishes to host the tall ships.

The last time the Sault hosted a tall ships tour was 2013.

At that time, considerable funding was available to organize such events as War of 1812 commemorations.

This year, the visiting tall ships expected to have grant money to pay for the ships, travelling land program and advertising, but the city was expected to cover additional costs.

Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers estimated the city would risk as much as $65,000 of taxpayer's money if the event didn't succeed.

The city is contacting area First Nations and francophone groups in an attempt to bring four major events under the Canada 150 umbrella: National Aboriginal Day on June 21, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, National Multicultural Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.