Sault Ste. Marie is at a tipping point.

In this long-form episode, I explore the six critical challenges our city is facing—and how we can turn the tide. From economic fragility to the drug crisis, from government reliance to leadership voids, I offer bold but achievable ideas to help the Sault thrive again.

This isn’t political. It’s personal. And it starts with honesty, unity, and hope.

Why our population, wages, and workforce are in decline

What’s actually working to reduce drug use (hint: we can borrow from Vancouver and Portugal)

Why government grants and consultants won’t save us

What comparing Sault, ON and Sault, MI reveals about entrepreneurship

Why hope is the greatest growth strategy of all

How leadership (using the CALM model) can unite us around a real plan

📚 Sources (select highlights; full links in show notes):

Opioid death rates – Ontario

Portugal’s Drug Policy Model – Drug Policy Alliance

[Insite Vancouver – CMAJ & The Lancet](https://www.cmaj.ca, https://www.thelancet.com)

Sault College & Algoma U international student stats – SooToday

Building permit values – City of Sault Ste. Marie

Employment data – Statistics Canada

Let’s save the Sault—together.

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Connect with Chris Cooper:

Website - https://businessisgood.com/