After a tumultuous year, the rebuilding of Sault Ste. Marie's police board is close to complete.
Nuala Kenny, the board's recently appointed chair, told a city council meeting tonight that the province has selected a new appointee.
Kenny said she wasn't allowed to immediately say who it is, but she provided a few hints.
'The police board is almost at a complete complement," Kenny said during a council session at which the 2026 city budget was introduced.
"In addition to myself, Mr. Mayor, [and Ward 4 Coun. Marchy] Bruni, we have Joe Greco. And we just received word that we have our final provincial appointee.
"I'm not at liberty to disclose who that is right now, but I can tell you it is a young person with a very strong business background and very strong connections to the community, and we're just delighted to have her on board.
"So I think that'll help make a make a change, just in terms of consistency of the operation," Kenny said.
The 2026 budget introduced by Kenny contained an 11 per cent hike, adding approximately $4.3 million to the municipal levy.
The city has little or no say about the budgets of city police and other local and levy boards.
It generally must just add any such increases to the municipal levy.
Kenny vigorously defended what she called her "no-BS budget" and her detailed presentation received several commendations from members of city council, including Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.
"Thank you so much for a very thorough presentation," said Ward 2 Coun. Lisa Vezeau-Allen.
"We used to only get about three or four slides and not to this amount of detail. So we certainly appreciate that taxpayers really want to know with a budget of this size, but also with the important work that you do," she said.
"This was a really refreshing presentation," said Ward 3's Angela Caputo. "It was very nice to have with a budget ask of this magnitude. It was very nice to have this level of detail.
"I'd also like to say it was really nice to see a chair presenting the budget this year, and being so informed and clearly very involved and supportive of the officers and the service.
"So thank you for that. It was a long presentation, but you had my attention the whole time," Caputo said.
Ward 1 Coun. Sonny Spina added: "I don't think this council ever wants to see someone come forward with a $4.3 million increase to their budget. You have a completely new board, you have a completely new administration, and you've tackled an insurmountable task and presented today what I think is the most clear, concise and transparent budget I personally have seen in years.
"I don't think that we have seen anyone come to council in the last several years as fully informed as you have today and fully transparent to present to us as you have today. In fact, I would say in years past, we've asked questions and just been told we'll get back to you, we'll get back to you, we'll get back to you.
"Not once today did we hear that. And in fact, I think you answered a lot of our questions before they were ever asked."
"Seeing what you've presented today and seeing the manner in which you've presented it, I would suggest this is a model for people to follow, and I do want to thank you for the hard work you've done and for coming here today fully informed, fully aware and fully ready to stand behind this budget," Spina said.
"When you took the reins at the police board, you promised a new era of transparency," Mayor Shoemaker told Kenny.
"I think you have delivered on that promise, thanks in large part to the hiring of Chief Duguay, who is aligned in lockstep with you on that commitment to transparency and the new board, new budget, new baseline, new boss that are being presented here tonight," the mayor said.
The city issued this news release tonight about community input on the 2026 municipal budget:
As Sault Ste. Marie prepares the 2026 municipal budget, residents and business owners are invited to help shape community priorities by sharing their input.
From Nov. 17 to Nov. 28, the city will provide information on this year’s budget, how tax dollars are allocated, and the value these investments deliver to the community.
The feedback collected will help guide council during budget deliberations, scheduled for Dec. 8 and 9, 2025.
The city encourages all residents to participate through any of the following methods:
- Online Survey: Complete the Budget 2026 survey at saultstemarie.ca/budget2026. Paper copies are available at the Bay Street Active Living Centre, the Northern Community Centre, the North Branch Library, the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library, and in the lobby of the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre. An online survey will also be administered through the City’s Flashvote focus group at www.flashvote.com/cityssm.
- Budget Open House: Speak with city staff and learn more about budget priorities at a come-and-go open house on Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre lobby.
- Social Media: Share your thoughts on Facebook and Instagram #saultbudget and tag @CitySSM.
- Property Tax Calculator: See how your tax dollars support services with the Sault Ste. Marie Property Tax Calculator
- Email: Send comments or questions to [email protected]
- Finance Office: Call the department at 705-759-5350 with any questions.
- Mail: City of Sault Ste. Marie – finance department 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5X6
Complete the 2026 Budget Survey here
“The 2026 municipal budget comes at a time of significant financial pressure, driven by persistent cost increases across core service areas,” said Tom Vair, CAO.
“City staff have developed the 2026 operating budget in a prudent manner, preserving core services, avoiding service reductions, and supporting capital investments needed to sustain critical infrastructure.
Community feedback is important in ensuring that the 2026 municipal budget reflects our local priorities.”
To learn more and participate, visit www.saultstemarie.ca/budget/