Sarnia-Lambton MP expecting election following ‘year of misery’

“A year of misery for Canadians” is how Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu describes 2024.

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With a new year approaching, the Conservative MP said 2024 was also “a year of scandal for the government” of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a time when Canadians faced “an affordability crisis.”

“We see people lined up at the food bank,” she said. “Even people working are struggling to be able to afford to live, and that is on the government for their continuous tax raises and their out-of-control spending.”

Gladu said the past year saw the so called “green slush fund scandal” related to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (STDC).

In a report published in the spring, Auditor General Karen Hogan concluded that one out of six projects funded by STDC that she audited were ineligible and that the organization had serious governance issues. On the day her audit was published, the government announced it was abolishing the fund and folding it into the National Research Council.

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“That’s what people will remember when they look back at 2024,” Gladu said.

Locally, she said, “Sarnia-Lambton, as always, has risen to the challenge” with organizations like Sarnia Blessings, the Inn of the Good Shepherd, Salvation Army, the Vineyard, along with “individuals generously giving to support” those in need .

“I think that is a bright light,” Gladu said.

She added ongoing issues locally include an encampment at Sarnia’s Rainbow Park.

“It’s a concern for the neighbors” and “it’s a concern for the community because citizens can’t just decide which bylaws they’re going to obey,” Gladu said. “We need to bring the supports that are needed to resolve this situation.”

A success story from the current year locally was the completion of an oversized load corridor allowing large industrial components and vessels to travel more easily between Sarnia Harbour, local industries and fabricators.

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“Let’s cheer for that,” Gladu said.

In November, a ribbon cutting was held at Sarnia Harbor for the final piece of the $17-million project that stretched over several years and received funding from federal, provincial and local governments and other sources.

Supporters of the corridor project have spoken of its potential to boost local economic activity and create jobs at Sarnia-area industrial manufacturing companies.

“That’s going to be huge for Sarnia to be able to export globally our manufacturing expertise,” Gladu said.

Looking ahead to 2025, Gladu noted that as Parliament paused for the holidays there was increased chatter in Ottawa about the potential for an early federal election with news of Chrystia Freeland leaving cabinet and reports of unrest among some members of the Liberal caucus.

“I would expect that when we go back, you’re going to see a little turmoil followed by, at least by March, an election,” Gladu said.

With files from the National Post

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