Ward 1 Councillor Paul Christian answers questions after Monday’s meeting when council approved a request for a report from CAO Al Horsman and the EDC responding to Sault Ste. Marie’s slowing economy.

City Council approved a request on Monday night to have the EDC and CAO come up with a report. That report would have recommendations — a ‘course of action’ — of what the city should do to turn its economy around. The request comes in the midst of a low Canadian dollar, job losses at Tenaris and the uncertainty at Essar Steel Algoma. Councillor Paul Christian was the mover behind the request for the report. He reacted to all of this happening only months after the senior levels of government announced a 60 million dollar investment into upgrades at the steel plant…

Christian suggested that unfair trading practices may be to blame and wondered if the federal government will support the steel industry. CAO Al Horsman mentioned to council that he has reached out to cities such as Hamilton and Regina for support at the staff level — cities that have similar concerns. He also suggested ‘mini-infrastructure stimulus’ projects — work that could be done over the next year than in three or four years, as a way to jolt the local economy. The main focus of Monday’s discussion was about the situation involving Essar Steel Algoma — who announced last week that they are up for sale. But Christian says Essar is not the only reason for the need to do something…

EDC Chief Executive Officer Tom Dodds announced to council that the lowest employment figures in 20 years and changes in lottery and gaming have also contributed to a call to action. Another reason the request for a report is timely — ArcelorMittal shut down its steel plant in Spain, resulting in 330 people out of work. Councillor Steve Butland says ‘the time is now’ regarding a course of action to improve the economy in Sault Ste. Marie. Butland mentioned 2002 — Algoma Steel was under bankruptcy then — when the community banded together to say they wanted and needed the steel industry to stay alive. When asked about what he wants to see over the next few months, Christian did not want to speculate on that…

A report from the city’s Economic Development Corporation and Horsman is expected to received by council no later than February 22nd — with additional updates to follow after that.