Canada and the U.S. are missing out on some glorious business opportunities by not making significant upgrades to the St. Lawrence Seaway system.
That was the message Sault Ste. Marie Mayor John Rowswell sent in a resolution at the International Association of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors conference. Rowswell is urging for senior government support in a Great Lakes navigation system study. The three-day conference was held at Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que. in mid-June.
Rowswell says the 2,000-nautical mile waterway needs upgrades to bring the system into the new century. When the seaway opened 43 years ago, most saltwater freighters could traverse the entire length of the system. Today only 30 per cent can, due to vessel draft restrictions.
Rowswell says it comes down to a competitiveness issue for Great Lakes industries such as Algoma Steel, which are forced to light-load freighters.
The U.S. is committing $20 million for a five-year modernization and environmental study, which will include widening seaway locks and deepening draft levels.
