'Don’t be a bystander': Former city councillor still devoted to serving the Sault

Susan Myers is still passionate about serving Sault Ste. Marie.

Her long history of community service as a tourism industry professional, member of numerous boards and as an elected official stems from a desire to give back to the community.

“I came from a family where my dad was in business for himself as a home builder and this community provided our family a livelihood,” Myers said in an interview with SooToday.

For much of her professional career, Myers was devoted to promoting the Sault’s tourist attractions.  

A Sault Collegiate graduate, Myers studied in Humber College’s Travel and Tourism program and worked in that field in Toronto and Muskoka before returning to the Sault in 1989.

Upon her return she joined Hospitality and Travel Sault Ste. Marie - known as HATS - that group merging with the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation in 1992.

Myers then worked as the SSMEDC’s manager of marketing and tourism.

With the SSMEDC, Myers was pleased to promote the Agawa Canyon Tour Train and Searchmont - among many other attractions - as a draw for tourists and is best known for her work in the branding of Sault Ste. Marie as Naturally Gifted as a tribute to the Sault’s natural beauty and gifted people.

Naturally Gifted was the Sault’s first ever branding with an official slogan and logo, launched in 1994.

“There were a number of submissions for branding but that was the one that we landed on. I think we were ahead of our time because we were one of the first communities in the province to have a city marketing brand to promote quality of life and tourism,” Myers said.

“Even today, although the city has seen fit to change the graphic image, the Naturally Gifted slogan still pops up and it’s used by Saultites in conversation or in writing and I think it well captures how we all feel about the Sault. It’s a special place.”

Myers said the beginning of annual visits by cruise ships and their passengers to the Sault stands out as one of many highlights in her career as a tourism official.

“I had the privilege of being there the very first time the Columbus came here in 1994. I remember going down to meet the ship when it arrived at six o’clock in the morning. I drove down Brock Street and I could see the top of the ship peeking above the waterfront,” Myers said.

“I got filled with emotion and tears thinking there’s a cruise ship here in Sault Ste. Marie,” she exclaimed.

Cruise ships now bring thousands of visitors to the Sault every year.

Myers said that as the SSMEDC manager of marketing and tourism, she was proud to promote such sites as the Art Gallery of Algoma, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site and the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

“I think the thing about Sault Ste. Marie that gives us such solidity is our history. The roots run deeply. You can go up and drive around the Canal District and you’ll see the historical plaques going back to the 1700s,” Myers said.

During her years in tourism, she also made a notable contribution to the Girl Guides of Canada.

“Something that stands out for me is that I was privileged to sit on the Ontario product marketing committee for the Girl Guides of Canada and I’m credited with the development of the chocolate mint cookie the Girl Guides sell.” 

The chocolate mint cookies followed the original familiar chocolate and vanilla Girl Guide cookies. 

“It came out in 1993 and it’s been a very successful second product for Girl Guides of Canada. I had the opportunity of being part of that. It was exciting to see that develop,” Myers said.

Retiring from her tourism role with the SSMEDC in December 2003, Myers was elected as a City Councillor for Ward 2 in November 2006.

She won re-election twice and served in that role until 2018.

Though having left her tourism career with the SSMEDC, city councillor Myers still advocated for the Sault's tourism industry and played a key role in the creation of the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site’s Heritage Discovery Centre.

The Centre includes a theatre, War of 1812 exhibit and gift shop.

“I really drove it hard at the council level and with senior staff. We really had to lobby hard to convince staff it was a worthy investment,” Myers said.

Her name is etched on the plaque commemorating the centre’s opening in 2014.

“I’m a part of history too,” she laughed.

Her biggest disappointment as a councillor?

“The Norgoma,” she said. “I really believed strongly that it was a missed opportunity to let the Norgoma go. We should have invested in it instead of divesting ourselves from it.”

“I really have to say the highlight for me on council was in 2007 when I was acting mayor for five weeks. Mayor John (Roswell) went to China on a trade mission and then he became ill and had surgery for lung cancer,” Myers recalled.

She said that being in the mayor’s chair was an eye opener for her, giving her an even greater appreciation for those who serve in that role.

“Being acting mayor for five weeks gave me a real taste of knowing I did not ever want to seek the office. Over my 12 years on council many times I got asked ‘would you consider running for mayor?’ and always my answer was unequivocally ‘no’ because I saw the toll that takes and the commitment is huge. It’s a very demanding role as the mayor.”

“It was great. I was so glad to do it but it also gave me a really good understanding. You don’t know until you’ve walked in someone else’s shoes in any scenario and that sure showed me I never wanted to run for mayor,” she chuckled.

Myers left council and successfully ran for Algoma District School Board trustee for Ward 2 in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022.

“The children are the future of our community and I feel we really need to look at the future. I love the slogan of the ADSB to develop ‘confident learners, caring citizens.’ These are our youngest citizens. I had always dealt with citizens on city council but they were adults, so I think we really need to make sure we’re building into the future of our community through our children,” Myers said.

In her time she has served with the Art Gallery of Algoma board, the Sault College Board of Governors, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and chaired the Off Leash Dog Park Committee.

A woman of faith, she also assists in the leadership at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

“I truly believe the Sault is a special place blessed by Creator God with its beauty and natural resources,” Myers stated.

Prior to returning to the Sault in 1989, Myers temporarily left tourism and attended Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta in 1984-85 and graduated with a one year diploma in Biblical Studies. In June 1985 she went into full-time ministry at Muskoka Baptist Conference Centre as the centre’s retreat director. 

Apart from her current duties as a school board trustee, she also devotes her time to Meals on Wheels.

“I would really encourage others to step up and do it because it’s such an essential service for our seniors, to help them stay in their own home,” Myers said.

“We all have to do something to contribute to the betterment of our community. I’m passionate about Sault Ste. Marie. Sault Ste. Marie is a beautiful community and I think it’s critically important that everyone does their part. We have a high degree of volunteerism. Young people need to see that there is a role at every age to contribute to the community. You can contribute through your own gifts and talents and abilities and we all have them. We’re part of the whole. It’s important that everyone gets involved in the community. Don’t be a bystander. Be active.”