The following was released by the Sault Ste. Marie Green Party

The Sault Ste. Marie Green Party constituency association met in an informal gathering to discuss ideas for the provincial election slated for June 7th. In a friendly and

wide-ranging discussion, members shared ideas for green economic development, and for how to promote community resiliency in the face of a changing climate.

During discussion of the proposed chromite smelter, Greens agreed that the city of Sault Ste. Marie should not be courting this project by offering any sort of tax subsidies, tax holidays, or similar incentives.

“The Green Party locally, provincially, federally, and indeed world-wide, is fiscally conservative, socially progressive, and environmentally responsible,” explained CA president Kathie Brosemer.

“What being fiscally conservative looks like is not supporting polluting

corporations using tax dollars – whether outright handouts or tax

breaks.”

Kara Flannigan, who has carried the Green banner federally and provincially in the last three local elections, was outspoken on the matter. “We don’t go begging for pollution. Locating a smelter here in Sault Ste. Marie will have pros and cons. We are calling on the mayor and officials of Sault Ste. Marie, when responding to Noront’s submission deadline of February 2, 2018, not to offer tax incentives. Local taxpayers should not pay polluters.”

Local Greens will be meeting regularly over the next months, to prepare for the election. Officers invite all interested Sault residents to follow us on Facebook and come out to meetings to find out more about our platform.