MANITOWANING—Despite concerns raised by one Assiginack councillor that the costs associated with removing the SS Norisle could cripple the municipality’s economic development, the majority of council was in support and passed by majority a motion to accept the removal of the ship from the Manitowaning waterfront. The township will be borrowing the approximately $750,000 for removal of the ship.
“It would have cost us a large amount 10 years ago to remove the ship, and in 10 years it will cost us a lot more,” stated Councillor Dwayne Elliott. “The liability is too high for the health and safety of (municipal) staff to go on the boat.”
“And, if there is anyone who wants to purchase the ship, they can always do so after the ship leaves the harbour,” said Councillor Elliott. “It’s been council’s thought since our first meeting that we wanted to dispose of the ship. And no one has come and talked to us about providing funding or proposals to use the ship. We have a contract in place to dispose of the ship and we need to honour it.”
At the beginning of the discussion on the ship and the motion in front of them, Councillor Jennifer Hooper questioned, “have we explored every avenue for possible funding?”
CAO Alton Hobbs noted all funding opportunities have been explored, to no avail. No one has contacted staff to purchase or help with funding of the ship.
“That was to remove the ship,” countered Councillor Rob Maguire.
Councillor Janice Bowerman said there had been talk at the council table a couple of months ago about reaching out and talking to all levels of government for funding support and the township had one member of parliament say they would attend a meeting with council to discuss the ship.
“In my humble opinion, in terms of financial support from the government; when the federal government indicates it is looking for $15 billion in savings in the budget, no funding is going to be provided to get rid of the ship,” said Mr. Hobbs. “My other comment is that this bid (on disposing of the Norisle) was by a company that approached us a year ago and they were the only company that approached us.”
“I just want to reiterate to members of the public that we have tried everything to get financial assistance for the ship, and nothing has been made available,” said Councillor Bowerman. “My son remembers when he was young seeing the ship and he is now over 30. This and previous councils have talked about getting rid of the Norisle for many years.”
It was pointed out by Mayor Brenda Reid that even when the municipality had entered into an agreement with the Steamship Society it was with the idea that the ship would leave Manitowaning.
“Is the company (Marine Recycling Corporation) time sensitive (to remove the ship) in all of this based on the market for scrap steel?” asked Councillor Rob Maguire.
They have based some of this on the recycling market for the ship, council was told.
Councillor Maguire said the market is cyclical. “I’m opposed to this (motion) for a number of reasons. Federal money has gone into the ship already. This shows they have an interest in the ship. And we can’t forecast the scrap value of the ship between now and say the spring. This is the only ship of its kind around.” He also noted that paying the estimated costs of removal of the ship could affect other economic development projects in the municipality.
Councillor Maguire further explained the technical director of the steamship society, John Coulter, was one of the main players in saving the ship Segwun, which operates out of the Muskoka region, and on the scale of one to 10 the Norisle is in better shape than the Segwun, which was saved. He also acknowledged there are areas of concerns with the current state of the ship.
“If we have vision, we should give the Steamship Society a little more time, a new deadline, say to May (2024) which may give the society time to come forward with a proposal,” said Councillor Maguire. “They are still having high level meetings with government officials on the ships future.” He said it will take 10-15 years for the municipality to pay off the costs of disposing of the ship for about $750,000. He said some of this money could be used toward maintaining the ship. I understand council’s concerns, but I don’t think we have completely exhausted all avenues for funding.”
“Perhaps we could communicate (with the Steamship Society) and by allowing a little bit more time we could actually save the municipality some money,” continued Councillor Maguire. “I can see the costs (being spent on removal of the Norisle) tossing the proposed theatre/entertainment centre project out the window.”
Mayor Reid said council had given the Steamship Society six months to meet with council before they would make any final decisions on the ship, and while they didn’t respond, “at the last moment they sent us a letter which didn’t tell us anything. We can’t go to them now and ask them to please come and talk to us.”
“I think we are making a mistake, and there is a better solution,” said Councillor Maguire. “I would like the deadline extended until May. I know they (Steamship Society) have private sector commitments in this project and have succeeded previously in rescuing ships. If the federal government sees that this could end up turning over an investment, they may have an interest in it.”
“I completely disagree with Rob on this, that removing the ship is going to cripple the township,” said Councillor Hooper. “I really don’t want to put the costs (for the ship disposal) on the taxpayers, but for how many years has the ship been patched up, with nothing being made of it. And when was the last time the federal government put money into the ship?”
Federal government funding was provided toward the ship in 2011, Councillor Maguire said.
“We are almost in 2024,” said Councillor Hooper. “I’m excited about the future of Assiginack and not having to talk about the ship, so we can talk about the beautiful waterfront in Manitowaning and things we can do with it; and a brighter future for Assiginack and not having a cloud over our heads in regard to the Norisle.”
Councillor Hooper said Assiginack may have more greater chances of receiving funding for economic development because it doesn’t have the burden of the ship on the waterfront.
“I’m in favour of authorizing the bylaw in front of us,” said Councillor Bowerman. “It makes sense.”
A recorded vote was taken with all members of council including Mayor Reid voting in favour of removal of the Norisle and borrowing funds for this to take place, with Councillor Maguire being the only councillor to cast a no vote.
“This is not a happy time for anyone and certainly not a celebration. We are doing something that needs to be done,” stated Assiginack Mayor Reid.
