City submits proposal to host federal freshwater agency

The Sault Ste. Marie Canada Water Agency Task Force has submitted a proposal to host the federal agency that will focus on ways to keep fresh water safe, clean, and well-managed.

The proposal looks at the City being located at the hub of the Great Lakes as well as its "plentiful natural assets, cultural diversity and local expertise that reaches beyond borders."

Mayor Matthew Shoemaker and representatives from the task force have met with Federal government officials to discuss the City's proposal.

“Simply put – there is no better location for the Canada Water Agency than Sault Ste. Marie,” Mayor Shoemaker said. “The City welcomes the opportunity and is ready to host the Canada Water Agency. We look forward to working with the Government of Canada to advance this project in Sault Ste. Marie, and I will continue to stridently advocate for Sault Ste. Marie to be the Canada Water Agency’s host city.”

In June 2021, City Council approved the formation of the local task force to explore the opportunity.

The local task force includes City staff and external stakeholders including Mayor Shoemaker, Councillor Corey Gardi, Dr. Elaine Ho-Tassone (project coordinator with the Lake Huron Collaborative), Dr. Paula Antunes (freshwater researcher and consultant) and Ryan Namespetra (natural environment coordinator with Sault College).

The full document is available here and a video on the proposal is available here.