Steel Mills

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Asks Province to Assist Essar Steel Algoma

Written by Sandy Williams

March 18, 2016

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano has appealed to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne for help in saving Essar Steel Algoma.

Under terms of the sales and investment solicitation process, potential buyers for Essar Steel Algoma are to submit binding offers by May 13.

“Based on my own assessment of the matter and taking into consideration similar situations,” wrote Provenzano in a letter to Wynne, “I expect that the Province of Ontario will be called upon to play a very significant role in a successful bid.”

Provenzano said, “The City of Sault Ste. Marie needs the Province of Ontario to embrace this role and do whatever it can to ensure that the SISP process results in a transaction that ensures the continued operation of the steel mill in Sault Ste. Marie.”

Provenzano went on to differentiate the sale of Essar Steel Algoma from that of US Steel Canada.

“Unlike Hamilton, Sault Ste. Marie does not have a second major steel producer that can benefit from or employ its labour force.

“We are not located adjacent to a metropolitan area that can provide employment opportunities for displaced workers.”

Provenzano noted that 8,000 people are directly or indirectly employed because of the steel mill and 8,600 pensioners rely upon it as a primary source of income.

Provenzano told Wynne that the importance of Essar Steel Algoma to the community cannot be understated.

“Given our current size, location and economic circumstances, Sault Ste. Marie simply cannot afford to lose its primary employer.”

Sandy Williams

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