Sault Ste. Marie candidates spar over steel industry, Doug Ford

Liberal Terry Sheehan says no one should doubt that Sault Ste. Marie has taken a turn for the better sincehe was elected MP in 2015.

"I know we're better off than we were four years ago," he said during a debate at city council chambers Wednesday night.

"I know that because Algoma and Tenaris are growing again."

Sheehan says the Liberal government's investments in the local steel sector, plus its fights against unfair trade practices from China and the U.S., have seen Algoma Steel emerge from bankruptcy protection and helped putTenaris Tubes on the road to recovery.

But Conservative candidateSonny Spina pointed out thathundredsof workers are still laid off at Tenaris, whichmakes steel for pipelines, while the B.C. pipelinethe Liberal governmentbought will be madeof steel from China.

"Every one of these projects should be built with steel made right here in Sault Ste. Marie," Spina said, adding that the new North American trade deal Sheehan is so proud of does little to help workers in the Sault.

Neither of them waded into the debate about the ferrochrome smelter NorOnt Resources is proposing to build in the city to propose chromite ore from the Ring of Fire.

It would bring hundreds of much-needed jobs to Sault Ste. Marie, but more and more citizens are raising concerns about the environmental risks that come with building the plant on the grounds of Algoma Steel and on the shores of the St. Mary's River.

Peoples Party candidate Amy Zuccato says she understands why some find it "scary."

New Democrat Sara McCleary says she wants to see an "unbiased assessment" of the potential dangers, but wouldn't close the door on that many jobs.

"Any elected official has responsibility to explore any opportunity to bring jobs to the community," she said.

Green Party candidate Geo McLean says he couldn't support the project if local First Nations come out against it, as the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians from just across the border in Michigan have.

In the closing statements, Sheehan claimed that the Conservative platform released on Friday calls for millions of dollars in unspecified cuts to federal government spending.

"So what are they going to cut? What federal service are they going to cut?" he said.

"What we don't need to see is to have Doug Ford have a dance partner in Andrew Scheer."

"That's completely false," replied Spina.

"What I have promised you is that we will cut your cost of living."

McCleary said she's excited to see the polls pointing to a minority government.

She said if the NDP holdsthe balance of power in the next parliament, she believes she'd be in the best position to deliver for Sault Ste. Marie because she wouldn't just be a "yes man for the prime minister."