Josh McNallyFor Mayor · Sault Ste. Marie

One City · Many Voices

Should Sault Ste. Marie change its name?

Community discussion · Nonbinding campaign feedback

A city name carries history, identity, and practical consequences. This question is being opened for discussion—not presented as a decision already made.

Review the options

What is worth considering?

Pronunciation and finding the right place

How easy is the present name to say, spell and find online? Have you encountered confusion, and would a different name actually help?

Our identity and our neighbour

The Ontario city shares its name with Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Would a different name make our Canadian city’s identity clearer, or is the shared name a connection worth keeping?

Anishinaabe place names

Bawating is one name proposed for this discussion. Batchewana First Nation uses the spelling “Bawahting” in its own account of the area’s history and identifies it with the rapids. Any serious naming discussion should involve local Anishinaabe governments, language speakers and knowledge holders, including decisions about spelling, meaning and pronunciation. No endorsement is implied.

History, continuity and cost

What would be gained or lost by changing the name? What would it mean for local attachment, French-language heritage, signs, businesses, addresses, records and the cost of a transition? Could clearer identification or recognition of more than one name address some concerns without a full legal rename?

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This is a voluntary campaign discussion, not an official City consultation, referendum, or representative opinion poll. Responses would inform discussion; they would not approve spending or change the city’s name. Keep, change, dual-recognition and undecided responses are equally welcome. Read Josh’s approach to public input.

How public input should work →

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