The Canuck building may be sold to recover unpaid taxes

City council has authorized tax sale proceedings against 40 properties on which a total of $622,176 in taxes are outstanding.

Lisa Petrocco, the city's manager of taxation, will now register tax certificates on titles of the 40 lots.

If the properties aren't redeemed by the owners, they may be sold at a city tax sale in 2025.

One of properties authorized by city councillors on Monday is 410 Pim St. – an address that's figured prominently in SooToday’s recent coverage of problematic buildings.

410 Pim St. is owned by a numbered company controlled by local landlord Jim Brogno.

It's home to the now-defunct Canadian Night Club/The Canuck.

Indian Palate currently operates from the restaurant there.

City tax records show $120,986 in unpaid taxes owing on the property.

In 2021, the Sault Blues Society cancelled events there, citing health and safety concerns.

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario investigated complaints that public health regulations were being ignored at the Brogno-owned bar and restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the owner to issue a denial that also said he supported “freedom of choice.”

Another numbered company controlled by Brogno racked up more than $381,000 in unpaid fines with the city and other costs after being found guilty of multiple bylaw and fire code offences at two multi-unit rental properties. 

This month, we reported Brogno had been sentenced to 90 days in jail after his company was found guilty of numerous fire code offences at 410 Pim.

Those offences included:

• failing to maintain closures in fire separations
• failing to ensure closures are free from obstructions
• failing to repair a fire separation
• failing to prepare a fire safety plan for the building
• using temporary electrical wiring where it presents a fire hazard
• failing to properly install, operate and maintain heating, ventilating or air-conditioning systems
• failing to conduct fire drills as required
• failing to install required carbon monoxide alarms
• failing to maintain fire alarm system 

The following are the 40 properties on which the city has authorized tax sale proceedings, together with the total amount owing on each property:

00257 TRUNK RD - $35,283.41
00124 EAST CHAMPAGNE DR - $15,553.48 
00180 SIMPSON ST - $14,572.04
00410 PIM ST - $120,986.33
00375 PIM ST - $4,863.64
00026 GROSVENOR AVE - $7,997.72
00114 LANSDOWNE AVE - $7,044.77
00428 WELLINGTON ST E - $6,059.28
00046 GRACE ST - $50,052.48
00519 ALBERT ST E - $12,963.42 
00864 THIRD LINE E - $767.84
00373 LANDSLIDE RD - $14,561.33
00213 CASE RD - $6,763.22
00128 PARDEE AVE - $4,936.96
00251 WELLINGTON ST E - $10,212.01
00167 GORE ST - $32,740.48
00320 ALBERT ST W - $4,934.41
00226 CATHCART ST - $4,796.95
00210 CATHCART ST - $5,068.77
00246 HURON ST - $4,968.18
00385 CATHCART ST - $26,580.59
00637 QUEEN ST W - $6,799.75
00613 QUEEN ST W - $5,496.63
00610 PORTAGE LANE - $3,253.38
00664 QUEEN ST W - $6,605.40
00682 WELLINGTON ST W - $9,899.87
00320 PATRICK ST - $12,923.92
00287 FARWELL TERR - $7,509.29
00278 SIXTH AVE - $63,594.70
00144 CHURCHILL AVE - $5,214.41
01532 PEOPLES RD - $10,039.11
00075 LETCHER ST - $5,806.91
00160 GOULAIS AVE - $12,137.36
00155 GLASGOW AVE - $6,653.27
00144 CARUFEL AVE - $6,489.34
00041 ALFRED ST - $22,526.81
00747 SECOND LINE W - $3,002.20
00009 AVON AVE - $6,492.20 
00023 ANDERSON RD - $11,522.33
00145 FOOTHILL RD. - $14,501.86