Why is the canal historical site going to pot? (21 photos)

We saw crumbling staircases and pavement with dangerous holes and collapsing lock walls contained in some of the most creatively repaired fencing we've ever seen.

Ward 1 Councillor Steve Butland wants the federal government to clean up its act at Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site.

And SooToday.com spent some time there last night documenting the the crackhouse-like state of disrepair.

Check out the photo gallery at the bottom of this article to see what SooToday.com found when we visited what used to be a proud part of our region's heritage.

To simultaneously e-mail your thoughts on this issue to Mayor Rowswell and every member of City Council except Ward 6 Councillor Frank Manzo, please click here.

Councillor Manzo can be reached by phone or fax at 945-9971.

Butland and his Ward 6 counterpart Frank Manzo have placed the following motion on the agenda for tonight's meeting of Sault Ste. Marie City Council.

************************* Mover - Councillor S. Butland Seconder - Councillor F. Manzo

Whereas the Parks Canada site at the Sault Ste. Marie lock is in a state of general lack of aesthetics, security, staff, maintenance, attention to tourism, etc.;

Be it resolved that Council express these concerns through M.P. Tony Martin to the Minister Responsible for Parks Canada, Honourable John Baird; and

Be it further resolved that Field Unit Superintendent Sharon Ostberg be invited to attend council to elaborate on the above apparent deficiencies.

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