City council made a last-ditch effort on Monday night to save the agreement to have Canadian Tire build a new store on Thatcher Drive East.

Council changed course on a $200,000 non-refundable deposit and will allow Canadian Tire a one-year extension on the project without the deposit by a vote of 5-2.

City administration received a response from Canadian Tire on April 16 saying they could not agree to the deposit. Canadian Tire was seeking the extension because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Voting for the motion was councilors Dawn Luhning, Chris Warren, Scott McMann, Crystal Froese and Mayor Fraser Tolmie. Against the motion were Councilors Heather Eby and Brian Swanson.

Froese said she was in favour of the motion because killing the project could mean killing jobs.

“Here is an opportunity from Canadian Tire that can maybe come at the most appropriate time after we see our way through to the other side of this (pandemic) that will bring construction jobs to our city to help employ more people. They are a well-established, very good community partner already,” she said.

An amended motion was passed during the April 13 council meeting to authorize the execution of a Revival and Amending Agreement with Canadian Tire to delay payment and construction for one year subject to a $200,000 non-refundable deposit prior to May 15.

Eby remained in favour of the $200,000 deposit and defended her position, saying voted on the merit of the project.

“I am offended to think that because I voted the way I did that it means I don’t support economic development because I do. I always have and this is not about that at all,” Eby said.

“As was stated previously by myself and other members of council, if this deal does not move forward in its current form it doesn’t mean Canadian Tire can’t buy that land at some point in time.”

Councilors Luhning and McMann previously voted for the $200,000 deposit. McMann said, although he changed his vote, he was torn because he doesn’t believe the project will get done and the retail market isn’t conducive to this large of a project.

The land deal is worth $3.17 million for 11.95 acres of land.