‘It’s devastating for Sault Ste. Marie, but it impacts our whole area,’ said Lynn Watson, mayor of the Township of Macdonald, Meredith & Aberdeen Additional

Algoma Steel’s layoffs will have harsh impacts well beyond Sault Ste. Marie, said the mayor of a nearby community.

From Wawa to Thessalon, many workers beyond the city rely on Algoma Steel to support their families.

“We live in these little communities, and we’re part of these communities, and they’re also going to be laid off,” said Lynn Watson, mayor of the Township of Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional.

“It’s quite an impact. There are people that commute from as far away as Thessalon.”

For Watson, who spent 35 years working at Algoma Steel, it’s something he’s seen firsthand.

“I constantly rode with a gentleman who lived in Wharncliffe, which is up Highway 129, so he was beyond Thessalon,” Watson said.

“It’s devastating for Sault Ste. Marie, but it impacts our whole area.”

Beyond his role as mayor, Watson also serves as president of the Algoma District Municipal Association, and second vice president with the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities.

While layoffs were ultimately expected as Algoma Steel transitions to electric arc furnace production, Watson said many were caught off guard when they came over a year ahead of schedule as the steel plant contended with crushing U.S. tariffs.

“The decision of bringing it ahead, I think, has caught everyone by surprise,” he said.

“As a member of FONOM, we represent all municipalities in northeastern Ontario, I think we were all caught off guard by this decision.”

After 1,050 layoffs were announced last Monday, Industry Minister Melanie Joly announced 500 new jobs will come to Algoma Steel in 2026, and that the company will work with its unions and the government on a “reskilling” program for affected workers.

As that process unfolds, Watson hopes to see the needs of surrounding communities taken into account.

“I’m just hoping that when the government looks at setting up programs to retrain workers, or help workers, or do whatever – we look at the area where all the workers live,” he said.

“Maybe some of us from the district should be at least invited to the meetings to hear what the thoughts are and how we’re going to help our workers.”

Ensuring opportunities for all workers impacted by the layoffs will be integral to not only Sault Ste. Marie, but the communities surrounding the city, as well.

“It’s a devastating scenario to not only that worker, but the whole family,” Watson said.

“The impact is great on everyone, so there’s more than just trying to train that person – we have to deal with the whole impact of what this does in our communities.”