Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is located on the St. Mary's River on the Canada-US border. It is the third-largest city in Northern Ontario after Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

 

The city's history dates back to the 1600s when it was established as a French fur trading post and Jesuit mission settlement. It was an important crossroads for the 5,000-kilometer fur trade route stretching from Montreal to the North Country above Lake Superior. 

 

The city's name originates from the French term "Saults de Sainte-Marie," meaning "Saint Mary's Falls" or "Saint Mary's Rapids," referring to the rapids in the St. Mary's River.

 

Over the centuries, Sault Ste. Marie has been home to a cosmopolitan, mixed population of Europeans, First Nations peoples, and Métis. It continues to be an important international port of entry between Canada and the United States, connected by the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.

 

Today, Sault Ste. Marie is known as the "Friendliest City in Algoma" and is a popular destination for business, trade, and tourism. The city offers urban amenities and natural attractions, including the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, the Bush Plane Museum, and the Sault Ste. Marie Art Gallery and Museum.

 

History of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has a rich history dating back to the 1600s. The French explorer Étienne Brûlé first visited the area in the early 1600s. In 1669, French Jesuit missionaries established a settlement and named the site "Sault Ste. Marie", meaning "Rapids of St. Mary."

 

The area was ceded to the British in 1763 as part of New France. In 1783, the North West Company founded a trading post there and built a small lock to handle canoes and small boats for the fur trade. The lock was later destroyed during the War of 1812 but rebuilt in the late 19th century.

 

The growth of Sault Ste. Marie has been closely tied to the rapids and locks on the St. Mary's River, which connect Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The city developed as an important transportation hub and center of heavy industry, producing iron, steel, paper, lumber, and other goods.

 

Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated as a town in 1887 and as a city in 1912. It has a long history as a cosmopolitan, mixed community of Europeans, First Nations peoples, and Métis. Today, Sault Ste. Marie remains an important international port of entry between Canada and the United States, connected by the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.

 

Geography of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is located on the north bank of the St. Mary's River, between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The city's growth has been closely tied to the rapids and locks on the St. Mary's River, which connect the two Great Lakes.

 

The city is situated at the "heart" of the Great Lakes region and is an important international port of entry between Canada and the United States. It is connected to its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan by the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.

 

The area's geography provides a mix of urban amenities and natural attractions. The region's "lush forests" offer opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, and camping. The city is also known as a hunting, fishing, and iron-ore mining hub.

 

Sault Ste. Marie has a humid continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. It is one of the snowiest places in Michigan, receiving significant lake-effect snow from Lake Superior.

 

Demographics of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has a population of 72,051 as of the 2021 Census. The city's census agglomeration, which includes surrounding townships and First Nations reserves, had a total population of 76,731 in 2021.

 

The city has recently seen a slight population decline, with a 1.8% decrease from 2016 to 2021. Sault Ste. Marie has a population density of 324.6 people per square kilometre.

 

Ethnically, 82% of the population is of European origin, 13.5% are Aboriginal or Native Canadian, and 4.5% are visible minorities. The city has a large concentration of ethnic Italians, mostly descending from the Calabria region.

 

In terms of age, the 2021 Census found:

• 0 to 14 years: 14.0%
• 15 to 64 years: 60.7%
• 65 years and over: 25.3%

 

The median age is 46.1 years, older than the Ontario provincial median of 40.9 years. The male-to-female ratio is 1.1:1.

 

61,980 residents (95.5%) speak English as their mother tongue, while 2,100 (3.2%) speak French as their first language. Fifty-five people speak indigenous languages.

 

The largest religious affiliations are:

• No religion/secular: 38%
• Catholic Christian: 33%
• Protestant Christian: 16%

 

Economy of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

The economy of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is diverse and has been shaped by several key industries over time:

 

Industry

Sault Ste. Marie has a long history of heavy industry, including steel production, pulp and paper, and mining. Algoma Steel is a major employer that produces steel products like sheets, beams, and pipes.  The city has also been a hub for alternative energy, with hydroelectric, solar, and wind power developments. 

 

Entrepreneurship and Technology

Sault Ste. Marie has an entrepreneurial environment supported by organizations like the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. The city is home to technology companies, environmental research facilities, and the headquarters of the OLG. 

 

Transportation and Logistics

As a border city, Sault Ste. Marie is an important transportation and logistics hub, with access to rail, highways, the St. Mary's River, and an international airport. The city is pursuing plans to expand its commercial harbour. 

 

Other Sectors

Other key industries include tourism, agriculture supported by local initiatives, and a growing small business community. 

 

Sault Ste. Marie has worked to diversify its economy and position itself as a competitive business location, leveraging its strategic location, talent pool, and cost advantages.  However, the city faces challenges with an aging workforce that will require addressing through initiatives like immigration. 

 

Education in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has a diverse education landscape with a range of public and private institutions:

 

Elementary and Secondary Schools

The city is served by two main public school boards - the Algoma District School Board and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board. These boards operate numerous elementary and secondary schools in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding region. 

 

The city also has French-language public and Catholic school boards, including the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and the Conseil Scolaire Public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario. 

 

Post-Secondary Education

Sault Ste. Marie is home to several post-secondary institutions:

• Algoma University: A public university established in 1964 and independent since 2008, offering undergraduate degrees. 
• Sault College: A public college of applied arts and technology that offers diploma, degree, and certificate programs. It is ranked highly by employers for the quality of its graduates. 
• Lake Superior State University: A small public university located just across the border in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, offers bachelor's and associate degrees and some master's programs. 

 

The city also has adult learning centers, like the Holy Angels Learning Centre, which provide flexible options for continuing education and skills development. 

 

Sault Ste. Marie has a robust education system spanning public and private, English and French, and secondary to post-secondary levels to serve the community's diverse needs.

 

Transport System in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

Public Transit

• Sault Ste. Marie Transit Services operates the city's public bus system, providing seven major and two community bus routes.
• The bus service runs every 30 minutes on weekdays until 7 p.m. and hourly in the evenings and on weekends.
• There is also a Parabus service for passengers with accessibility needs, with 11 vehicles.
• The main bus terminal is downtown, but a new Northern Transfer Hub opened in 2021 to serve the growing student population.
• Fares are $2.90 cash, and various pass options are available, including monthly, youth, and senior passes.

 

Other Transport

• Sault Ste. Marie has excellent transportation infrastructure, with access to highways, rail, marine ports, and an international airport.
• The city is located on the Canada-US border, with the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge provides direct access to Michigan and the US interstate system.
• The port on the St. Mary's River provides access to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway system and handles over 94 million tons of freight annually.
• The airport has two 6,000-foot runways and is served by airlines like Air Canada, Porter, and Bearskin.
• Commute times in Sault Ste. Marie is very short, ranking 2nd in Ontario for the shortest distance from home to work.

 

Sault Ste. Marie has a well-developed, multimodal transportation network that supports local and regional connectivity, making it an important hub for business and trade.

 

Living in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, offers an attractive quality of life for residents:

 

Affordable Cost of Living

Sault Ste. Marie has incredibly affordable housing, with three-bedroom detached homes costing under $300,000. Residents also save on commuting costs, as the average commute time is only 10 minutes.

 

Outdoor Recreation

The city is surrounded by natural beauty, providing endless opportunities for outdoor activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, boating, and more. Residents can easily access hiking, camping, and other adventures in the region's lush forests.

 

Vibrant Community

Sault Ste. Marie has a welcoming, tight-knit community that has embraced newcomers like the Kings and Fitzsimons-Watkis families. The city offers a vibrant arts and entertainment scene and high-quality education options from kindergarten through university.

 

Convenient Transportation

With an international airport, highway access, and public transit system, Sault Ste. Marie is well-connected both locally and regionally. Residents can reach Toronto in just a one-hour flight or seven-hour drive.

 

Sault Ste. Marie provides the benefits of big-city amenities in a more relaxed, affordable small-town setting. The city's natural beauty, community spirit, and economic opportunities make it an appealing place to live.

 

Healthcare in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has a diverse and comprehensive healthcare system:

 

Hospitals and Clinics

The Sault Area Hospital is the main healthcare facility, providing primary, secondary, and some tertiary services. The city also has the Group Health Centre, a large multi-specialty ambulatory care organization serving over 60,000 residents.

 

Several walk-in clinics and community health centers, such as the Algoma Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic and the Superior Family Health Team, also provide additional access to care.

 

Long-Term Care

Sault Ste. Marie has several high-quality retirement and nursing homes to serve the aging population.

 

Healthcare Workforce

The city is home to healthcare professionals across disciplines, including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied health providers. Sault College also offers healthcare-focused programs to train future workers.

 

Health Services

Residents can access various services, including emergency care, surgery, obstetrics, mental health, rehabilitation, and specialized programs like the Algoma Regional Renal Program and the Algoma District Cancer Program.

 

Community Support

Organizations like the Algoma Community Care Access Centre and Algoma Regional Charity Hospice (ARCH) provide additional community-based health and social services.

 

Sault Ste. Marie has a robust and accessible healthcare system that meets the diverse needs of its population. The city's mix of hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and community support ensures high-quality care is available locally.

 

Tourist Places in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

Here is a summary of the key tourist places and attractions in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada:

 

Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site 

• A historic canal and lock system connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron, allowing ships to bypass the St. Mary's Rapids. Visitors can tour the locks and learn about the site's history.

 

Sault Ste. Marie Museum 

• This museum showcases the history and culture of Sault Ste. Marie, with exhibits on topics like the fur trade, indigenous peoples, and the city's industrial past.

 

Gros Cap Conservation Area 

• A scenic natural area with hiking trails, beaches, and views of the St. Mary's River and Lake Superior.

 

Soo Locks Boat Tours 

• Boat tours take visitors through the famous Soo Locks, providing a unique perspective on this important shipping infrastructure.

 

River of History Museum 

• A museum that explores the history of the St. Mary's River, from its geological formation to the development of Sault Ste. Marie.

 

Historic Water Street 

• A historic district featuring 19th-century homes and buildings that provide a glimpse into the city's past.

 

Tower of History 

• A 210-foot tall tower that offers panoramic views of Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding region.

 

Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre 

• A museum dedicated to the history of bush planes and their role in northern Ontario's development.

 

These are just some of the top tourist attractions in Sault Ste. Marie. The city offers a mix of historic sites, outdoor recreation, and cultural experiences for visitors to enjoy.

 

Local Food of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada

The local food scene in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, offers a diverse array of culinary delights:

 

Locally Sourced Ingredients

Sault Ste. Marie is home to a thriving local food movement. Many restaurants and cafes source ingredients from nearby farms, fisheries, and producers, including fresh produce, meats, dairy, and seafood from the Algoma region.

 

Italian Cuisine

As a city with a large Italian-Canadian population, Sault Ste. Marie is renowned for its authentic Italian restaurants serving homemade pasta, sauces, and classic dishes.

 

Craft Breweries

The city has a growing craft beer scene, with local breweries like Outspoken Brewing and Outlaw Brew Co. offering unique, small-batch beers.

 

Indigenous Cuisine

Sault Ste. Marie celebrates its Indigenous heritage through restaurants serving traditional dishes like bannock, wild rice, and fish from the St. Mary's River.

 

International Flavors

The city's diverse population has also brought a range of international cuisines, including Syrian, Thai, Chinese, Indian, and more.

 

Breakfast and Brunch

Sault Ste. Marie is home to beloved breakfast spots like The Breakfast Pig, known for its hearty, locally sourced fare.

 

Overall, the local food culture in Sault Ste. Marie reflects the city's history as a multicultural hub, strongly emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients from the surrounding region.

 

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