{"id":129307,"date":"2026-03-20T15:21:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T18:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shipping.einnews.com\/article\/900693726"},"modified":"2026-03-20T15:21:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T18:21:41","slug":"a-inside-the-200m-plan-to-turn-sault-ste-marie-into-a-great-lakes-shipping-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/20\/a-inside-the-200m-plan-to-turn-sault-ste-marie-into-a-great-lakes-shipping-hub\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00c2\u00a0Inside the $200M plan to turn Sault Ste. Marie into a Great Lakes shipping hub"},"content":{"rendered":"<header aria-label=\"Beginning of Article\" class=\"article-header article-header--feature\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\" data-aqa=\"nav-breadcrumb\">\n<p>Breadcrumb Trail Links<\/p>\n<ol class=\"breadcrumbs__items list-unstyled\">\n<li class=\"breadcrumbs__item\"><a class=\"breadcrumbs__item-link\" data-tb-category-link href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/category\/news\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"breadcrumbs__item\"><a class=\"breadcrumbs__item-link\" data-tb-category-link href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/\">Local News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<div class=\"article-header__detail\">\n<div class=\"article-header__detail__texts\">\n<p class=\"article-subtitle\">After decades of delays, the vision for the Port of Sault Ste. Marie gets government&nbsp;attention and this time, city officials say the timing is right for the project, and to help diversify the Sault&#8217;s economy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<p><span class=\"published-date__since\">Published Mar 20, 2026<\/span> &nbsp;\u2022&nbsp; <span class=\"updated-date__since\">Last updated 6&nbsp;hours ago<\/span> &nbsp;\u2022&nbsp; <span class=\"published-date__word-count\">9 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"featured-image\" data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"future site of port of algoma\" class=\"featured-image__image type:primaryImage\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon2-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=563&sig=ASWUHbWpdHbDdPmHMaGmWA&ssl=1\" height=\"1440\" width=\"2560\"><figcaption class=\"featured-image__caption image-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">This is the proposed site of a Port of Algoma. Canada Transportation Minister Steve MacKinnon toured the site with Sault-Algoma MP Terry Sheehan and Mayor Matthew Shoemaker on Fri. March 14, 2026. <\/span> <span class=\"credit\">Photo by PHOTO SUPPLIED<\/span> \/<span class=\"distributor\">Postmedia<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p>Sault Ste. Marie, since the beginning of time, has always been a gathering place, a place of trade.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_2\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment7616453600736432121287460977115136\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 2<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>From the early days of Bawating, \u201cthe place of the rapids,\u201d now often referred to as the centre of Canada, has been a destination to fish and trade. French explorers and settlers used Sault Ste. Marie to develop the Northwest Fur Co., used as a supply and trans-shipment point, in its struggle with the Hudson\u2019s Bay Co.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"featured-video__jw-strategy-title\">Recommended Videos<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The community along the St. Mary\u2019s River that connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron has grown and expanded since its inception. Plans of trade, commerce and commercialism on the St. Mary\u2019s River waterfront have always been at the core of the Northern community. In fact, the resurgence of efforts to develop a deep-water port in Sault Ste. Marie is not a new phenomenon.<\/p>\n<h2>Sault port project history<\/h2>\n<p>The concept dates back to the 1950s when traffic along the Sault Canal had reached a milestone with more than 125 million tons of cargo travelling through the Canadian and American Locks. The Sault Star reported 1953 as a record-setting year with the cargo \u2013 mainly wheat, iron ore and coal \u2013 passing through the Sault Canal.<\/p>\n<p>Three years later, the idea of a deep-water harbour took shape. In November 1956 the Chamber of Commerce Seaway Committee suggested two 183-metre docks were needed to handle the increased tonnage expected as a result of the completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It was suggested that Algoma Steel could build a $750,000 rail spur to the site.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_3\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment446958979953248051520459287560192\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 3<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Soil testing was to be completed, and it was determined Algoma Steel and Mannesmann Tube had the necessary industry to support a harbour. In 1958, the federal government committed $4 million to build the port.<\/p>\n<p>The plan was short lived. It was shelved in 1958 as Algoma Steel was undertaking its own expansion and couldn\u2019t begin another project. By 1962, public works determined there was not enough traffic to warrant building the port, mainly because local businesses couldn\u2019t commit to the required 250,000 tons of shipping materials required to make it feasible.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<figure class=\"embedded-image article-content--full_width\" data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"proposed port of algoma site\" class=\"embedded-image__image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=4fphch_cF57tjPlLybfkHw&ssl=1, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=750&sig=lzTkr6Eezzgl0mTfeYMJgQ 2x\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-proposed-port-site-resized-1.jpg?location=full_width&quality=5&strip=all&w=100&sig=CFSltCcC-dEUC2IZm-gWtw\" height=\"1067\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\"><figcaption class=\"image-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">A view from the shore of what is the proposed site of a future Port of Algoma.<\/span> <span class=\"credit\">Photo by PHOTO SUPPLIED<\/span> \/<span class=\"distributor\">Postmedia<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The port idea resurfaced in the spring of 1967 when the Northeastern Ontario Regional Development Commission recommended that the provincial government study the economic merits of better harbour facilities. The city received a $5,000 grant to examine regional businesses and their imports and exports needs.<\/p>\n<p>The final report to council in December 1967 concluded \u201cfuture growth of the city and the area depends on the immediate planning for an industrial park and harbour complex,\u201d The Sault Star reported.<\/p>\n<p>The following spring, a harbour committee was formed, and Leigh\u2019s Bay was identified as the potential deep-water harbour site.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_4\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment2011967172338480167472151991943168\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 4<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Land was purchased in the area. More reports were completed despite early opposition fearing that dredging would affect water quality.<\/p>\n<p>In March 1972, the federal government committed $1 million to the project, promising work would begin that year. It never did. Delays were blamed on an Ontario Municipal Board hearing, environmental studies and finally the realization that some of the businesses that committed to the port had since moved elsewhere. The federal government lost interest, and infrastructure funding was never finalized.<\/p>\n<p>The Chamber of Commerce declared the project \u201cdeader than a dodo,\u201d in 1976, and the plan was eventually abandoned again.<\/p>\n<h2>Sault Port plan revisited<\/h2>\n<p>The rise and fall of the port plan continued in the 1980s, when Algoma Steel agreed in principle the city would build a deep-water port at Leigh\u2019s Bay near the slag dump at an estimated cost of $5 million to $6 million.<\/p>\n<p>This 1983 concept envisioned the port to be created in stages. It too, was short lived despite support from then area MPs Ron Irwin and Maurice Foster.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will indicate that this development is vital to Sault Ste. Marie,\u201d a Sault Star story said. \u201cWe will suggest to the government that planning has gone on since 1972 and that something should be done quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_5\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment2436974720769091629344690001674240\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 5<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Former mayor John Rowswell strongly advocated for a multi-modal transportation plan. The concept was to transform the city into a global logistics hub. His vision leveraged the city\u2019s unique geography at the intersection of major rail, highway and marine routes. It included creating a community public access port that could handle deep-sea cargo, allowing local industries to access global markets more efficiently.<\/p>\n<p data-async>However, his focus centred on <a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;creating a transpolar air cargo hub&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/city-talks-transpolar-flights-in-2000#:~:text=Article%20content.%20City%20officials%20met%20in%20Toronto,an%20air%20freight%20hub%20for%20transpolar%20flights.&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/city-talks-transpolar-flights-in-2000#:~:text=Article%20content.%20City%20officials%20met%20in%20Toronto,an%20air%20freight%20hub%20for%20transpolar%20flights.\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\">creating a transpolar air cargo hub<\/a> for the Sault, and the port project was never developed.<\/p>\n<h2>Essar Ports 2014 report modernized<\/h2>\n<p data-async>Enter Essar Steel Algoma, which formalized <a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;a deep-water port&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/2013\/02\/04\/harbour-expansion-critical-to-economic-stability&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/2013\/02\/04\/harbour-expansion-critical-to-economic-stability\">a deep-water port<\/a> in 2014. By now, the $150-million project was to use the steelmaker\u2019s private docks and transform them into a world-class, public-access international marine gateway.<\/p>\n<p data-async>The project, led by Essar Ports was then India\u2019s second-largest private-sector port company. The project was shelved once Essar Steel Algoma filed for creditor protection under the Companies\u2019 Creditors Arrangement Act in 2015. A year later, <a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;a judge declared Port of Algoma Inc. insolvent&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/local-news\/lenders-ask-courts-to-force-port-of-algoma-into-receivership&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/local-news\/lenders-ask-courts-to-force-port-of-algoma-into-receivership\">a judge declared Port of Algoma Inc. insolvent<\/a>, a direct result of the steelmaker\u2019s financial woes.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s those reports that have recently been dusted off and edited, the newest vision reducing the Port of Algoma in scope and size, again garnering the attention of Sault Ste. Marie city council and the federal and provincial governments.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_6\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment2442243124737416486208411376025600\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 6<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<figure class=\"embedded-image article-content--full_width\" data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><img data-opt-id=758893364  decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, 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https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Brent Lamming and Ian Hamilton ink port partnership\" class=\"embedded-image__image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=QZjo8qHm9llIHJAmmdZIpw&ssl=1, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=750&sig=9b3FUuHqsv0ok-hFXdvyww 2x\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0918-sm-port-announce-b.jpg?location=full_width&quality=5&strip=all&w=100&sig=hSeThyrn_jIPQq0DAc1dCg\" height=\"788\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"940\"><figcaption class=\"image-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">Sault Ste. Marie\u2019s Brent Lamming, Deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Serrvices and Ian Hamilton, President &amp; CEO of HOPA Ports, operator of port and marine facilities on the Great Lakes ink a partnership agreement that will see them work together on creating a multi-modal port in Sault Ste. Marie.<\/span> <span class=\"credit\">Photo by City of Sault Ste. Marie<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-async><a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;A new-found partnership&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/sault-inks-partnership-with-largest-canadian-port-company-on-the-great-lakes&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/sault-inks-partnership-with-largest-canadian-port-company-on-the-great-lakes\">A new-found partnership<\/a> with the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA), gives much-needed credibility to the latest version of the multi-modal port plan.<\/p>\n<p>HOPA, the largest Canadian port company on the Great Lakes, handles more than $4 billion worth of cargo annually. It operates ports in Hamilton, Oshawa, Port Colborne and Thorold.<br \/>It\u2019s believed the partnership will create a new north-south trade corridor that connects Northern and southern Ontario and export destinations beyond.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor more than 55 years, it has only remained an idea, waiting for the right moment. We feel that moment is here and today,\u201d Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said when the partnership was announced in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Like the early port concepts, Algoma Steel is at the table for the project and its industrial land, deep-water access and existing infrastructure are targetted to support co-located economic activities.<\/p>\n<p>A double-slip port on Algoma Steel property could link steelmaking, logistics, energy, mining and advanced manufacturing and reinforce the Sault\u2019s role as a strategic engine of international growth in Northern Ontario, Shoemaker said.<\/p>\n<p>This time, during changing global economic partnerships, the Sault Ste. Marie project integrates with Canada\u2019s nation-building plan to strengthen supply chains, unlock economic potential and deliver long-term benefits for Canadians.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_7\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment1786176203306055688639878954745856\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 7<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the key message city officials and HOPA are projecting to both the federal and provincial governments in its quest for infrastructure funding to finally get the long-awaited project moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>The 2014 business case has been fact checked, edited and updated. Presentations have been made to both levels of government.<\/p>\n<p data-async><a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;The project is now estimated to cost $200 million&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/port-of-algoma-will-require-200-million-of-infrastructure&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/port-of-algoma-will-require-200-million-of-infrastructure\">The project is now estimated to cost $200 million<\/a>. That includes port infrastructure with two slips costing $70 million and a further $130 million for critical upgrades to the rail lines that will connect the port inland.&nbsp;All would be created on 216 acres of industrial land with long-term growth, creating a 950-acre multi-user port.<\/p>\n<p>A second phase of the project would activate 741 acres for business and cargo growth.<\/p>\n<p>The current plan has again captured the interest of the federal government. After all, it aligns with the federal government\u2019s Canada Strong motto, FedNor\u2019s Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario, the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy and it meets the nation building project criteria.<\/p>\n<p>Provincially, it meets the Ontario Critical Mineral Strategy, Ontario Forest Sector Strategy and Ontario Marine Strategy.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<figure class=\"embedded-image article-content--full_width\" data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><img data-opt-id=758893364  decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Mayor Matthew Shoemaker shows talks to Terry Sheehan and Steve MacKinnon\" class=\"embedded-image__image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=zInIua24SwSgM_W6IiSRfQ&ssl=1, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=90&strip=all&w=750&sig=F0ZWmYSa5SjhnYHS8NU-kg 2x\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0321-sm-port-mackinnon.jpg?location=full_width&quality=5&strip=all&w=100&sig=lIiS-UpC8zTOKbpAAIxhCg\" height=\"1000\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1500\"><figcaption class=\"image-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">Sault-Algoma MP Terry Sheehan, Canada Minister of Transportation Steve MacKinnon and Mayor Matthew Shoemaker chat while viewing the proposed site of the Port of Algoma.<\/span> <span class=\"credit\">Photo by PHOTO SUPPLIED<\/span> \/<span class=\"distributor\">Postmedia<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-async>On his visit to Sault Ste. Marie earlier this month, federal <a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;Transportation Minister Steve MacKinnon&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/sault-ste-marie-makes-its-pitch-to-feds-for-200m-deep-water-port&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/sault-ste-marie-makes-its-pitch-to-feds-for-200m-deep-water-port\">Transportation Minister Steve MacKinnon<\/a> said the project \u201ccaptures exactly the spirit of the moment we\u2019re in in Canada, where we need visionary leaders to come up with these projects that help build our country. It\u2019s emblematic of what we\u2019re trying to accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_8\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment9703819530597866752001504371015680\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 8<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>He toured the proposed site and met with the city and other stakeholders to get the highlights of the business plan.<\/p>\n<p>The verbal request for funding was officially made and a formal application is expected to be submitted shortly to Canada\u2019s trade corridors fund, a $5-billion fund designed to fund transportation infrastructure projects including marine, rail, road and air.<\/p>\n<p>Arguably, MacKinnon, who also wears the hat of Government House leader, is the most important federal minister to get on board for the Port of Sault Ste. Marie project.<\/p>\n<h2>The business case<\/h2>\n<p>MacKinnon was briefed on the business case in a slideshow but Shoemaker said the full argument is being submitted so the government can do its due diligence.<\/p>\n<p>The business case focuses on the existing minerals and mining, forestry, agriculture, steel and manufacturing sectors, in the region that show the port will be viable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur numbers continue to be refined as our consultation with industry and manufacturers in town and in the district are ongoing. We\u2019re going to present a very solid, well researched, recent business case,\u201d Shoemaker said.<\/p>\n<p>Ring of Fire prospects would present additional growth down the road, but the business case is viable now, based on the existing exports and imports, by tapping in to existing and expected usage capacity.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_9\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment8982154112970428407530046795808768\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 9<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The port is estimated to take about two years to build and begin operations. Construction would require between 1,400 and 1,800 full-time equivalents.<\/p>\n<p>Once operational, the port itself would create 2,488 jobs by Year 5, the business case states. Of those, almost 800 would be direct jobs, 1,0000 induced jobs and 690 indirect jobs.<\/p>\n<p>The sustained economic impact includes an estimated&nbsp;$134 million of annual personal income, and $343 million in annual economic activity.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from Algoma Steel, a port would increase cargo 156 per cent by the fifth year of operations.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, the business case identifies more than a dozen active and emerging projects within 150 kilometres of the proposed port.<\/p>\n<p>The heavy reliance on long-haul trucking, especially for copper, zinc, gold and aggregates could be substantially reduced and the multi-modal industrial lands are ideal for value-added processing opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>The need to diversify forestry into new markets is noted. There are about 10 major producers in the immediate Sault area, exporting 300,000 tonnes across the border.<\/p>\n<p>Algoma is well positioned to ship steel plate for automotive, shipbuilding and other markets in southern Ontario. A port would also support the steelmaker\u2019s potential for new rail and beam manufacturing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_10\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment414898289176768307509508127588352\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 10<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Manufacturers, such as Tenaris, would gain laydown space and better transportation service to accommodate their growth plans, the business case states, and new multimodal industrial land could attract new manufacturers in steel processing, energy and other sectors.<\/p>\n<p>The case also shows a market to expand the salt and aggregates market and agriculture.<br \/>Across Northern Ontario, a port could severely reduce 4,450 truck trips between Northern and southern Ontario weekly, capturing a transportation market that spans around the north to include Sudbury, Temiskaming and Cochrane.<\/p>\n<h2>Sault Ste. Marie\u2019s next steps<\/h2>\n<p>The federal government application to create the Port of Sault Ste. Marie will be officially submitted by HOPA.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe hope is to have some of that funding come from the feds, some from the province, some from the city and some from industry,\u201d Shoemaker said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"embedded-image article-content--half_width_left\" data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><img data-opt-id=758893364  decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Mayor Matthew Shoemaker at a podim announcing port project\" class=\"embedded-image__image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=375&sig=Qog0BX6MPw3LYOO0q9QRww&ssl=1, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=90&strip=all&w=750&sig=PKpqWLa57Lupf-cElnkuiA 2x\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nexus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1211-sm-a3-mayor-advocate.sm_.jpg?location=half_width_left&quality=5&strip=all&w=100&sig=lxd45JVNDL1jJdDRJT0FEQ\" height=\"750\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\"><figcaption class=\"image-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker announced in September, 2025 that the city has partnered with the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) to create a multi-modal port in Sault Ste. Marie.<\/span> <span class=\"credit\">Photo by Elaine Della-Mattia<\/span> \/<span class=\"distributor\">The Sault Star<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He said MacKinnon wasn\u2019t surprised by numbers presented to him. \u201cHe said they fall in line with projects of this nature.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The money would be use for refurbishing dock walls to allow two vessels to berth, cargo laydown space, security and safety systems, a rail transload area and infrastructure for tenants to lease industrial space. Rail upgrades to connect to Algoma Central Railway would also be completed.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--story article-content__ad-group ad_counter_11\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment5105247378999417841777627210186752\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 11<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s estimated the port will provide $26 million in provincial and local taxes and $26 million in federal taxes.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Sault-Algoma MP Terry Sheehan said he\u2019ll continue advocating for the project and believes getting MacKinnon to see the potential site first-hand was paramount.<\/p>\n<p data-async><a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;The struggles Algoma Steel&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/breaking-algoma-steel-issues-1000-layoff-notices&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/breaking-algoma-steel-issues-1000-layoff-notices\">The struggles Algoma Steel<\/a> \u2013 and other Sault manufacturers \u2013 have faced with the challenges created by the unjustified U.S. tariffs on steel are well known by the<a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;target_url&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot; federal government&quot;, &quot;target_url&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/feds-provide-additional-support-for-steel-lumber-industries-in-wake-of-tariff-war&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saultstar.com\/news\/feds-provide-additional-support-for-steel-lumber-industries-in-wake-of-tariff-war\"> federal government<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>MacKinnon said, \u201cWe\u2019ll stand behind this community, the workers behind this community, and we\u2019re going to keep looking for ways to diversify the economy and find ways to help the people who live and work here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-async><a data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;keys&quot;: {&quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;click_source_type&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;anchor_text&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;layout_section&quot;}, &quot;mp_event_type&quot;: &quot;Navigation&quot;, &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;click_vertical_position_percentage&quot;, &quot;click_vertical_position_pixels&quot;]}}, &quot;click_source_type&quot;: &quot;in-page link&quot;, &quot;anchor_text&quot;: &quot;edella-mattia@postmedia.com&quot;, &quot;layout_section&quot;: &quot;in-page-link&quot;}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"mailto:edella-mattia@postmedia.com\">edella-mattia@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--feature\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__share-group article-delimiter\" data-evt-val=\"{&quot;control_fields&quot;: {&quot;mparticle&quot;: {&quot;mp_custom_flags&quot;: [&quot;Google.NonInteraction&quot;, &quot;Google.Page&quot;], &quot;extra_keys&quot;: [&quot;percentage_of_page_viewed&quot;, &quot;active_time_on_page&quot;, &quot;percentage_of_story_viewed&quot;]}}}\" data-evt=\"beforeunload\" data-evt-typ=\"page_scroll\">\n<p>Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div aria-label=\"Article Comments\" class=\"article-content__widget-group article-comment\">\n<section class=\"comments__section\" data-aqa=\"viafoura-comments\" id=\"comments\">\n<p>Comments<\/p>\n<details class=\"expansion-panel comments__section__list\">\n<summary class=\"expansion-panel__summary\">\n<div class=\"h4 expansion-panel__summary-label\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"article-card__comment-icon\">  <\/span><span>Join the Conversation<\/span><\/div>\n<\/summary>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; 125 million tons of <span class=\"match\">cargo<\/span> travelling through the Canadian and &#8230; required 250,000 tons of <span class=\"match\">shipping<\/span> materials required to make &#8230; on creating a transpolar air <span class=\"match\">cargo<\/span> hub for the Sault, and the &#8230; ship steel plate for automotive, <span class=\"match\">shipbuilding<\/span> and other markets in &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=129307"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129307\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}