Some city services to be affected by provincial emergency brake decision

With news of a provincial shutdown confirmed on Thursday afternoon, the City of Sault Ste. Marie has announced how the decision will impact city services and facilities for at least the next four weeks.

Following is a full release from the city on the situation:

As a result of the provincewide emergency brake, effective Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. the following City services will be impacted for at least four weeks:

Administrative Offices

The Cemetery office, GFL Memorial Gardens, Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre, Sault Transit, Fire Services Administration and Public Works and Engineering Services offices will be open during the provincial shutdown for essential services only. Citizens with urgent matters requiring the attention of staff are advised to contact the appropriate department.

Community centres

Community Centres will be closed. This includes the John Rhodes Community Centre, the Northern Community Centre, Seniors’ Centres and the Ermatinger∙Clergue National Historic Site. All bookings during this time are cancelled. For further information contact the Community Services Department at 705-759-5310 or email [email protected].

City-operated arenas

City-operated arenas will be closed with the exception of GFL Memorial Gardens for scheduled vaccination appointments. The John Rhodes Community Centre and the McMeeken Centre are closed. All bookings during this time are cancelled and ice time rentals will be reimbursed. For further information and to re-book ice time contact 705-759-5383.

Garbage, recycling and City Landfill

There is no garbage or recycling collection Friday, April 2 or Monday, April 5. Collection for both garbage and recycling will be one day late following Good Friday and Easter Monday.

During the four-week emergency brake, the Public Works office at 128 Sackville Road is open for essential services only. Waste and recycling collection and winter and spring operations are not impacted. Service requests can be submitted by phone at 705-759-5201 or email [email protected].

The City landfill site is closed on Good Friday, April 2 and Easter Monday, April 5. During the provincial shutdown, the landfill will open beginning April 10, Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For the safety of staff and visitors, security will be on-site enforcing social distancing and public health recommendations including mandatory mask wearing.

The City’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot will open for the season beginning April 6, 2021 and will operate Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

City Transit

During the provincewide emergency brake, City transit will continue to provide regular service to those that require essential travel only. There will be no change to the schedule during this time. The transit terminal will be closed during this time. For more information, call 705-759-5438.

Cemetery office

During the provincewide emergency brake, the Cemetery office is open for essential needs only. Funeral directors, families in need and delivery services will be accepted. Call 705-759-5336 for service. 

Clerk’s office

During the provincewide emergency brake, the City Clerk’s department is open for essential needs only. Cemetery and funeral services and urgent marriage licence for Algoma District residents applications will be processed. Further inquiries can be directed to 705-759-5388 or [email protected].

Legal department

During the provincewide emergency brake, the Legal department and Provincial Offences office are open for essential needs only. Fine payments can be made in person at the Provincial Offences office, by mail, in the drop box located at the Civic Centre or online at www.saultstemarie.ca/eservices. Payments cannot be made over the phone. Damage claims can be completed online. All Freedom of Information requests with the accompanying $5 can be mailed to the Legal Department for processing. For further inquiries regarding the services of the City’s Legal department contact 705-759-5400.

Fire Services

Fire Halls remain closed to the public. During provincewide emergency brake, administration will be available by phone at 705-949-3333 Press #0.

Building and bylaw

During the provincewide emergency brake, Building and by-law inquires and service requests can be submitted by phone to 705-759-5410 or online at [email protected].

“The City is committed to taking the appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of our staff and the community at large, and we will continue to follow the advice of public health experts, while providing essential services to our residents,” said Malcolm White, CAO, City of Sault Ste. Marie.  “I want to recognize our staff for their commitment, effort and service to our community during this challenging period.”

Residents requiring access to City-related business are asked to do so remotely when possible: online, by telephone, through regular mail, or to delay any business that requires in-person interaction with City employees until it is appropriate to do so.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie continues to work closely with Algoma Public Health and community stakeholders to monitor the COVID-19 situation and respond accordingly. Citizens are reminded to stay home except for essential reasons, practice physical distancing of at least two metres apart from others at all times and avoid close contact with those outside of your immediate family.

For the most current information, updates will be posted to the City’s website at www.saultstemarie.ca/covid19 and on social media.