Former Sault mayor, MP Steve Butland has died

A prominent proponent for the city of Sault Ste. Marie has died. Steve Butland, a former Member of Parliament, mayor and city councillor, was 84 when he passed away last week.

Butland was one of the city’s longest-serving politicians, with a career in public office from 1980 to 2018.

His death on Oct. 15 is being mourned by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, where he served as both mayor and councillor.

“He was strongly admired,” said Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.

“(He) had a real dedication to the community and a real passion for the community. And I think that was recognized by everyone he represented over the years.”

Born and raised in the Sault, the former New Democrat MP served as a teacher and principal in the city for 34 years.

Shoemaker shared a term of council with Butland, saying that the former mayor became a mentor to him.

After his retirement, Butland received the city’s medal of merit and key to the city.

“What was interesting with Steve, we didn’t agree on every issue, that’s for sure. We had opposing views on a significant number of important issues. But he was always such a gentleman,” Shoemaker said.

‘Consummate professional’

“(He) had a willingness to tell you ahead of time he was or wasn’t supporting a certain issue that I was bringing up or vice versa. It taught me that … I should be having that conversation with him or with other councillors ahead of time, explaining why he would not be supporting something -- and do it in a respectful way. So he really showed what it meant to be a consummate professional in politics.”

Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma MP Terry Sheehan paid tribute to his former colleague Tuesday in the House of Commons, sharing a story of their time together.

“When he and I, as city councillors, visited the House of Commons at an annual conference, and we walked in the door, a guard that remembered him a decade later -- fondly remembered his name, what party he belonged to and everything,” Sheehan said.

“It was quite amazing, the impact this guy had on every kind of people from all walks of life. My condolences to Sharon, his daughters, Stephanie, Susan, Stacy, their husbands, their grandchildren. Rest in peace, Steve. Rest in peace.”