Sault locks horns with Regina over water agency (7 council briefs)

City Council this week approved creation of a task force aimed at spearheading the Sault's bid to become the home of the Canada Water Agency.

The new federal agency is expected to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, local authorities, scientists and others in finding ways to keep Canada's water safe and competently managed.

A number of communities are known to be interested in landing the clean-water prize, but around the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre, most of the talk is about the City of Regina.

"Regina was quick to act and demonstrate their interest and value proposition for being the primary location," says Kathleen Heymans, the Sault's manager of business development.

"The economic development team with the City of Sault Ste. Marie recognizes the benefits of a Prairie Canada Water Agency location given the region’s significant agriculture industry," Heymans says.

"However, as the hub of the Great Lakes, connected to the largest freshwater lake in the world, Sault Ste. Marie makes a competitive alternate or satellite location for the Canada Water Agency."

Appointed on Monday to the local task force are:

• Elaine Ho, post-doc and Huron Collaborative implementer
• Dr. Paula Antunes, aquatic eco-toxicologist
• Tom Vair, deputy city chief administrative office for community development and enterprise services
• Rick Van Staveren, director of economic development
• Kathleen Heymans, manager of business development
• Travis Anderson, director of tourism and community development
• person to be determined – sustainability coordinator
• Coun. Corey Gardi

According to Heymans, confirmation of support for a local bid has come from Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority, Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Batchewana First Nation, Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Council, Indigenous Friendship Centre, Public Utilities Commission, Algoma University, Sault College, Lake Superior State University Invasive Species Centre, MP Carol Hughes, MP Terry Sheehan and MPP Ross Romano.

Other items of note from this week's City Council meeting:

• the city will consult with small and large business stakeholders about the possibility of introducing a new optional small business tax class to provide targeted relief to small businesses
• councillors were briefed on the costs of rethinking their decision to finish tendering to move the main Sault Transit terminal to the bus barn/administration complex at 111 Huron St. The $30,000 cost of an amended environmental assessment process will be on top of the $41,000 the city has already spent
• Lennox Park and the Elliot Sports Complex were mentioned as possible locations for a west-end splash pad
• councillors approved a downtown safety plan calling for increased surveillance and uniformed paid and volunteer 'ambassadors.' Two ambassadors would work together on a shift, deputy CAO Tom Vair said. "The idea is the ambassadors would be mobile and walking around the downtown." It would be a collaboration with the Downtown Association and the Canadian Mental Health Association, he said
• changes to Sault Transit bus stops were approved
• a monument recognizing founders of a local residential school was granted heritage designation