Sault councillor proposes poaching Toronto-based remote workers

The following resolution about recruiting remote workers from Toronto-based tech companies has been placed on the agenda of next week's City Council meeting by Ward 2 councillor Lisa Vezeau-Allen and her Ward 5 counterpart Matthew Scott.

The meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m. Monday.

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Knowledge-based industry recruitment task force

Mover: Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

Seconder Councillor M. Scott

Whereas the collective missions of the Innovation Centre, the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. and Future SSM all include attracting new business to our community; and

Whereas the modern workforce is changing in terms of corporations allowing flexible and remote work agreements, especially in knowledge-based industry; and

Whereas findings from a 2017 global survey of over 24,000 workers by Polycom Inc. reported that the vast majority of respondents (98 per cent) agree that an anywhere working approach boosts productivity, as people can choose to work where they are most efficient; and

Whereas the survey also revealed that 62 per cent of the global working population is working flexibly – more than ever before; and

Whereas there are over 400,000 people working in the technology industry in Toronto and there are 1,800 technology-based companies located in Toronto; and

Whereas growing our business community helps grow a healthy community;

Now therefore be it resolved that the city request that the Innovation Centre, the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. and Future SSM set up a task force to develop a targeted recruitment plan to attract and retain remote workers in the knowledge-based industry from the Greater Toronto area to locate to our community.

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Taxpayers jet-rodded

In other news, councillors will be asked Monday to approve purchase of a $541,472 (after trade-in allowance) vacuum-body, jet-rodding, sewer-cleaning, tandem-axle 2020 Freightliner truck from TMS Truck Centre.