Sault Ste. Marie exploring housing shortage solutions
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is exploring ways to increase housing supply in the city in an effort to bring down costs.
Staff are studying a pair of ideas put forward by city council.
Sault Ste. Marie city coun. Angela Caputo. March 28/23 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)
One of those ideas is a vacant property tax, which was brought to the table by Coun. Angela Caputo, who sits on the newly formed Affordable Housing Task Force.
Caputo said it was the sight of boarded-up houses that prompted her to bring the idea forward.
"I just wanted to put something forward to try and give a little nudge to the property owners to open these homes up," she said.
"A lot of our residents really need a place to live and affordable housing is definitely one of the most important things that we're discussing right now."
Another idea being looked at is a grant program for non-profit organizations and churches that have underutilized land that could be used for affordable housing.
This model is used by the City of Barrie and Sault city staff are looking into whether this idea can be put into practice in the north.
The 'Affordable Housing Task Force' is preparing a feasibility study for the grant program and the vacant property tax and will report to city council at a later date.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Two U.S. Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, U.S. military says
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent 'friendly fire' incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels.
BREAKING NEWS
BREAKING NEWS 6 adults, 4 children taken to hospital following suspected carbon monoxide exposure in Vanier
The Ottawa Paramedic Service says ten people were taken to hospital, one of them in life-threatening condition, following an incident of suspected carbon monoxide exposure Sunday morning in the neighbourhood of Vanier.
Big splash: Halifax mermaid waves goodbye after 16 years
Halifax's Raina the Mermaid is closing her business after 16 years in the Maritimes.
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
A small plane crashes into a Brazilian town popular with tourists and the number of dead is unclear
A small plane crashed into a Brazilian town that is popular with tourists on Sunday, killing several people, local officials said.
OPP find wanted man by chance in eastern Ontario home, seize $50K worth of drugs
A wanted eastern Ontario man was found with $50,000 worth of drugs and cash on him in a home in Bancroft, Ont. on Friday morning, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Barrie
-
Residents startled by blue flashes in the sky during power outage in Barrie
A power outage on Saturday night left over a thousand Barrie homes in the dark.
-
OPP officers make triple arrests for impaired driving in 24 hour span
Huronia West OPP officers were busy back-to-back days after making triple arrests for impaired driving.
-
High school teacher charged with sexual assault amid allegations involving a student
A 51-year-old teacher from Georgina has been charged with sexual assault following allegations involving a student.
Toronto
-
Cold weather in Toronto slowly easing up after frigid morning
The temperature in Toronto is starting to ease up after a frigid Sunday morning, but still remains well below the freezing mark.
-
Toronto police investigating 2 separate east-end shootings, no injuries reported
Toronto police are investigating two separate east-end shootings that occurred within 12 hours of each other.
-
Section of QEW closed after crash in Oakville: OPP
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say westbound lanes on a section of the Queen Elizabeth Way are closed due to a crash in Oakville.
Ottawa
-
BREAKING NEWSBREAKING NEWS 6 adults, 4 children taken to hospital following suspected carbon monoxide exposure in Vanier
The Ottawa Paramedic Service says ten people were taken to hospital, one of them in life-threatening condition, following an incident of suspected carbon monoxide exposure Sunday morning in the neighbourhood of Vanier.
-
Flooding started, ice still thin: Here’s the latest update about the Rideau Canal Skateway
Preparations to open the Rideau Canal Skateway are underway, as deep freeze continues to linger around Ottawa this weekend.
-
OPP find wanted man by chance in eastern Ontario home, seize $50K worth of drugs
A wanted eastern Ontario man was found with $50,000 worth of drugs and cash on him in a home in Bancroft, Ont. on Friday morning, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Kitchener
-
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
-
Driver in Kitchener charged after going 180km/h in 70km/h zone
A G2 driver has been charged after going 110km over the speed limit in Kitchener Sunday morning.
-
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
London
-
We're heading into the busiest time of year for emergency rooms
Medical emergencies don’t take holidays – and it’s important to prepare for anything heading into the holiday season.
-
Dreaming of a white Christmas?
Christmas is right around the corner, and while winter has been touch and go, there’s a good chance that we will not be looking out the window at a winter wonderland this week.
-
Warming up your car before you head out? Here's how to make sure you're not a target for auto theft.
With the bitter chill of the cold weather, it can be tempting to warm up your car before you head out – but London police has issued a warning to motorists that their warmup habits may have them left out in the cold.
Windsor
-
Annual Christmas dinner provides 2,000 meals to Windsor-Essex families
About 30 volunteer drivers toured the region on Saturday, delivering the prepared meals, which included turkey, gravy, stuffing, dinner rolls and vegetables.
-
Dreaming of a white Christmas?
Christmas is right around the corner, and while winter has been touch and go, there’s a good chance that we will not be looking out the window at a winter wonderland this week.
-
If you want to get the kids out of the house over the break, check out these day camps
There’s lots of opportunity to get out in your community and get involved, with camp dates coming up on Monday, Tuesday and Friday this week, and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday next week.
Montreal
-
Fire in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie
Over 100 Montreal firefighters were dispatched to a three-alarm fire in the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough on Saturday morning.
-
SPVM investigating possible arson attack in Saint-Leonard
Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed that a vehicle was set on fire in the Saint-Leonard borough early Sunday morning.
-
Spill closes Highway 25 near Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel
A spill forced the closure of Highway 25 northbound Sunday morning at the Hochelaga Street exit, near the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel in Montreal.
Winnipeg
-
Man attacks family with bear spray after vehicle collision: WPS
A Winnipeg man is facing several weapon-related charges after police said he attacked a family with bear spray.
-
Muslim youth group distributes meals to Winnipeg's most vulnerable
In the spirit of giving season, a Muslim youth group made its way through the city’s downtown distributing meals to those in need.
-
'Good deals for Christmas': Turkey prices down from last year
With just days to go before Christmas, one of the big items for the big feast could be cheaper this year. Numbers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada show that during November this year, turkey prices were down from the same time last year.
Atlantic
-
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
-
Cape Breton police arrest second person in missing man investigation
A second person has been arrested in the disappearance of Justin MacDonald in Cape Breton.
-
Icy conditions persist, parking ban lifted in Halifax
Halifax has lifted a parking ban for Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2- Non-Central that was enforced Friday and Saturday night to accommodate snow removal following a winter storm.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years
A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients.
-
Newfoundland man facing more charges related to youth sex crimes
A 64-year-old Newfoundland man charged with dozens of sex crimes involving young people is facing several new charges.
-
After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons
Energy observers in Newfoundland and Labrador are urging the provincial government to take a sober second look at a massive tentative deal announced last week with Quebec that promises to deliver hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue to the Atlantic province.
Calgary
-
It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business
It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon.
-
Traffic advisory issued by RCMP due to poor driving conditions south of Calgary and north of Red Deer
Alberta RCMP issued a traffic advisory early Sunday morning due to poor driving conditions throughout the province.
-
Flames get goals from 6 players in a 6-4 victory over the Blackhawks
Jonathan Huberdeau, Connor Zary, Blake Coleman, and Matt Coronato each had a goal and an assist as the Calgary Flames beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4 on Saturday.
Edmonton
-
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
-
Oilers finding ways to thrive in close encounters
Leon Draisaitl scored 18 seconds into overtime to extend his point streak to eight games as the Edmonton Oilers overcame a slow start to win their second straight game in extra time, defeating the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Saturday.
-
It was Grandma, in the cafe with a Scrabble tile: Game cafes are big holiday business
It’s the holidays, which means for many across the Prairies, there’s no better time to get locked in a dungeon with a dragon.
Regina
-
Gathering held in Regina to recognize Winter Solstice
Regina's mâmawêyatitân centre held a day of gathering for the Winter Solstice on Saturday.
-
Canada's first sustainable Tim Hortons location to open in Regina this weekend
Canada’s first sustainable Tim Hortons opens in Regina this weekend. The restaurant, located in the city’s east end, features design and operating features that minimize environmental impact.
-
Gravelbourg's transportation program celebrates addition of new vehicle and garage
The town of Gravelbourg is celebrating the addition of a new vehicle and garage which will be used in their local transportation program.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. woman dead following crash on Highway 5
A 69-year-old woman from the Humboldt area is dead after her SUV collided with a truck on Highway 5, according to police.
-
Sask. police investigating mischief incident after bomb report in school
Prince Albert police are investigating a mischief incident after a bomb report in a school Friday afternoon.
-
Prince Albert woman collects donations to make Christmas hampers for community
A Prince Albert woman is spreading holiday cheer by organizing Christmas hampers for those in need.
Vancouver
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
-
Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too
As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment.
-
'We need to win': Vancouver Canucks battling frustration amid slump
Frustration is beginning to creep in for the Vancouver Canucks.
Vancouver Island
-
Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too
As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment.
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
-
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
