As caring members of Sault…

As caring members of Sault Ste Marie / Ontario organization 'Clean North' and citizens who live 50 km north-east of the city,
our family feels overwhelmed by the pollution experienced EVERY TIME we have to drive to and spend time in town to run errands and buy groceries, amongst other obligations. Going for a walk along the water front or on Whitefish Island are out of question ~ the air quality is always unbearable.
We can even smell the putrid pollution 50 km away at home, every time the wind comes from the Algoma Steel site.

Air pollution issues (and consequently pollution of pristine waters of Lake Superior / Lake Huron / Lake Michigan and beyond, as well as soil pollution) are absolutely intolerable facts of life around here now, and have been for decades; and IT IS GETTING WORSE. We can smell Algoma Steel pollution even at our outpost camp, more than 60 km north-east of SSM.

Since Conservative Doug Ford came into power, environmental standards have plummeted. We now live near a town where residents feel helpless as to how they can stand up against the pollution crimes committed here. Corporate 'Open Houses' and input sessions / documents / letters / phone calls fall on deaf ears ~ nothing ever changes or is being addressed anyways.

As former tourist lodge operators, we cannot even fathom how anyone would want to spend time on their vacation in Sault Ste Marie. They may come once, but they will never return. There are times when I drive home with a burning throat from the extend of toxic pollution in this town.

It is completely unacceptable, if not criminal, that the Ontario government allows Algoma Steel industry low standards to hold entire twin cities hostage (Sault Ste Marie Ontario / Sault Ste Marie Michigan), endangering people's health and well being, as well as robbing us of our basic right to breathe clean air. Water and soils are also being contaminated by this often reckless, outdated steel making operation. Meanwhile, the government does NOTHING to set pollution regulations in favour of citizens, air, water and soils (the environment) for a wide radius in Canada and the United States, both hugely affected by Algoma Steel pollution, respectively. Ontario government regulations solely favour industry, and only industry. This MUST be remedied. Now.

Thank you.