Martin Wyant

thumbs-up

1307

162

thumbs-down

BREAKING: Algoma Steel laying off more than 1,000 workers

SooToday

68

While this is not unexpected, it's still terrible news for the workers and families who are directly and indirectly affected. At the community level, replacing these jobs and addressing the spin-off job losses that will occur as a result, will be one of the most significant challenges we have faced in many years. While it is good to know that work has been happening with the Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition, more will need to be done.It would be helpful to know more about the economic development initiatives that the City has been working on to attract more investment and jobs in our community. The only significant project seems to be the proposed multi-modal port, but the likelihood of the project and details regarding the number and type of jobs created, timelines and other details have been missing.Now would be a good time to share an economic development progress report.

2

Algoma residents will pay a bit more as public health budget hits $18.47M

SooToday

60

Hard to understand how a 9% increase is characterized as "a couple of cents" by a Board member. An 18% increase over two years? Wow. Why are taxpayers paying for these increases when APH reported a $12,159,580 accumulated surplus in their 2024 audited statements?

'Poor governance' prompted OPP proposal: Shoemaker

SooToday

46

Laying all of the problems at the feet of two departing Board members, without acknowledging that City Council represented 40% of the Board, is hard to swallow. it's also concerning that there seems to be no acknowledgement that poor management contributed to the huge deficit.

2

Carney announces plan to create 125,000 defence industry jobs

SooToday

35

The $345-million referenced in the Sootoday story is not the value of the potential submarine contract; it 's the estimated value of the Hanwha's investment in a new structural steel beam mill at Algoma, along with future purchases of steel product to support submarine construction. Investing in domestic R & D and manufacturing related to defence will help us develop new partners, new markets, good jobs and will decrease our dependence on others. This new approach can also be a significant boon to our local economy.

13

Tenaris adds third service centre in Western Canada

SooToday

46

Congratulations to Tenaris. Great to see them continuing to invest and create more jobs in Canada!

2

City councillors to discuss new Dacey-Trunk intersection

SooToday

39

While this work needs to be done, it should be part of a larger plan that includes desperately required repair of so many of our roads.

7

Feds investing $306 million into Tenaris for expansion

SooToday

37

Fantastic news for our community and for Tenaris!

5

Councillors push for local ban on data centre development

SooToday

32

Public concerns are having an impact, but having having a resolution on the agenda does not mean it will pass. If you are concerned, message your Ward Council representatives and the Mayor. Here is the link: https://saultstemarie.ca/Government/City-Council/.While I support a moratorium until better processes can be developed and legitimate concerns can be addressed, I am concerned that the resolution only specifies the need to consult with Indigenous communities. Consultation should include all of our community.

8

‘Excellent’: Pilot project that helps seniors stay out of hospital now permanent

SooToday

39

This is a tremendous program. Congratulations on gaining permanent funding!

City invites residents to weigh in on walking and cycling strategy

SooToday

32

Today I walked down Queen Street, from Kohler to Pine. There are east and west bike lines on both sides of Queen. I counted 11 cyclists. Some were clearly enthusiasts, with all of others seemed to be using bikes as there mode of transportation. Not a single cyclist was using bike lanes correctly. 8 were using the sidewalks and 3 were using bike lanes that were going against traffic.While I appreciate the aspirations of an active transportation plan, the expansion of trails and better solutions for people with mobility challenges should be the focus, particularly with our winter climate. Imposing bike lines at great cost, when they seem to be used by so few people, seems to be pandering to a small group of interests. Perhaps, though, we should focus on updating our entire 1996 officiaL plan, rather than all of the "micro-plans" that seem to ignore the infrastructure, social, health and other issues that have changed over 30 years.

6

Are we getting enough bang from our $11.6M Downtown Plaza?

SooToday

38

We have more than enough good quality venues to stage events. Spending more and more on physical attractions and improvements to downtown, without addressing legitimate concerns of citizens, will not work. Similarly, taking over the Downtown Association and shifting the tax burden from downtown building owners to regular taxpayers, increases our taxes with no tangible benefits. We need better planning, period. Perhaps it's time to consider a new governance model for our City....

500 new jobs coming to Algoma Steel next year: Joly

SooToday

31

It's good to hear that Algoma will be diversifying its product mix. While I appreciate the support that the federal and provincial governments have been providing, it would be helpful to hear more about how the $500 million contribution of taxpayer funds will be used.

7

City council snuffs out Downtown Association

SooToday

36

I'm not clear on the merits of the City taking over the DTA, but suggesting that it is following the success of the takeover of the EDC, without providing any data to demonstrate that we are better served by the "new approach", is concerning. If the result of this decision is that the tax burden is now shifted from downtown businesses to the entire tax base, then any member of council who had a direct or indirect financial interest in this decision should have declared a conflict of interest and refrained from the discussion and the decision.

2

Letter writer who used a pen name says he regrets it

SooToday

34

Previously, media would name and address check letters to the editor before publishing them. Not sure if this happened in this case. Too many people publish anonymously, as we see every day in posts to Sootoday, Facebook and other social media platforms. Anonymity often leads to bitter, angry finger-pointing, name-call and conspiracy-mongering that simply amplifies our differences. We should all be encouraged to share informed, respectful opinions, even when they run counter to those who hold positions of power. If you really believe in something, have the courage to put your name on it.

2

Sault Police Services approximately $2.5 million over budget

SooToday

32

If this was known in February, why is it only coming to light now? This is a huge amount of money. How could the Chief and the Board be unaware of the finances of the police service? The silence from the Board is deafening. There should be an audit of the last 5 years to determine if there are similar problems and to assign accountability.

1

Virtual home waiting room aims to ease ER congestion in the Sault

SooToday

27

This is a fabulous initiative!

2

'There's a lot of opportunity,' Report describes challenges after Algoma Steel layoffs

SooToday

12

We should bring together industry and small business leaders, individuals and groups with capital, senior elected and appointed government officials, Canadian and Ontario international trade representatives and others to identify and vet opportunities to sustain and grow our local economy. We should also assemble post-secondary leaders, union leaders and others to help us develop and/or attract the skilled work force we need. If people are hesitant to move here, then let's take the steps required to become one of Canada's "most livable cities", rather than complaining that such designations use flawed data.Finally, we need to have the courage and conviction to make difficult decisions. For example, if our EDC is too small, perhaps it’s time to finally create one group that combines the resources of the Community Development Corporation, EDC and Millworks under one banner and one leadership structure.

17

Algoma Steel commits three per cent of sales from proposed beam mill to Korean sub builder

SooToday

25

Interesting approach to bring badly-needed investment to help Algoma diversify it's manufacturing capacity. In the face of increasing US trade protectionism, cultivating and strengthening global relationships with new partners makes sense.

3

Mail delivery cancelled due to freezing rain

SooToday

25

This is a confusing story. Environment Canada forecast in SSM shows 0% chance of participation today, with temperatures well below levels that might lead to freezing rain.

3

Public discussion on data centre will happen tomorrow

SooToday

25

Their website reveals very little and does not include the names/contact information of any of the Principals. This group really should be more forthcoming about who they are, whose interests--if any--they are representing and what they propose to do with the information they gather. A public townhall would be a better option...

3