Sault Ste. Marie’s Member of Parliament Terry Sheehan will be down at the Roberta Bondar Park and Pavilion today, to celebrate Canada’s 150th!
Opening Ceremonies begin at 1 p.m. MP Sheehan will join the Sault’s astronaut and hometown hero Roberta Bondar and Mayor Christian Provenzano to kick off the festivities. There will be children’s activities and free entertainment all day long and a fireworks display at dusk. The Government of Canada has provided Sault Ste. Marie with extra funding in support of this year’s Canada Day celebrations.
MP Sheehan notes that “this year, 2017, is an exciting milestone in Canada’s history, as we have the opportunity to bring Canadians together from all backgrounds by inspiring a vision of a vibrant, diverse and inclusive country.”
“This year, we will continue to strengthen Canadians’ sense of pride as we support and encourage the four major themes of Canada 150 celebrations; diversity and inclusion, youth, environment, and national reconciliation.”
Over the past year the Government of Canada has invested extensively in our nation through its Canada Infrastructure 150 fund. Here in the Riding of Sault Ste. Marie we’ve seen funding flow to a variety of projects designated as high priorities by various community groups. I was pleased to support the funding requests they had selected. These projects will serve as reminders of this special day:
$100,000 to the City of Sault Ste. Marie for improvements to Slo-pitch field A, located at Strathclair Sports Complex.
$100,000 to upgrades at the Batchewana First Nation’s Rankin Arena.
$100,000 to the rehabilitation of the Sault Ste. Marie Centennial Public Library.
$100,000 to the rehabilitation of Sault College’s waterfront centre (former RYTAC Site).
$100,000 to improvements to the Community Theatre at St. Mary’s College.
$100,000 to help Prince Township convert a community gathering spot into a multi-purpose, year-round community facility.
$22,374 to the Soo Finnish Ski Club for the installation of LED lighting and outdoor speaking system in the outdoor recreation area.
$100,000 in support of the Algoma Conservatory renovation at the former St. Marys Paper site.
$100,000 to enable the Garden River First Nation to assist with the rehabilitation of Ojibway Park and Laughing Water Beach, located on the shores of Lake George.
MP Sheehan encourages everyone to mark the occasion, to get involved—to make the most of Canada 150. “Let’s continue to work together to make this an historic year. A remarkable year. A year filled with pride that will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
“Communities like ours are at the forefront of 150th anniversary celebrations. For example, we have the honour of sharing the Riding of Sault Ste. Marie with Dr. Roberta Bondar, as the year 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of her historic Space flight. She is the Sault’s Canada 150 Community Ambassador, an inspiration to Canadians across the country and a role model for young girls and boys reaching for the stars.”