Mayor says he won’t hesitate to immediately expel disruptors

Cathy Dobson/The Independent

The “good work” the city is doing is often overshadowed by the bad behaviour of one council member, says Mayor Mike Bradley.

He pledged Tuesday to have “zero tolerance” for any outbursts in 2025 like the ones Coun. Bill Dennis had during several council meetings last year.

“The rules of order demand basic respect.  That’s all we’re asking,” Bradley said. “Ironically the people who are the biggest disruptors get deeply offended if anybody challenges them. 

“Respect is a two-way street. You have to give it to get it,” he said.

Bradley commented while answering reporter’s questions about an ongoing health and safety investigation prompted by more than one complainant in late 2024.

The mayor didn’t elaborate and didn’t specify who is being investigated but said an outside legal firm was hired and a report is expected shortly.  Whether it will be released publicly is not clear.

As council’s chair, Bradley chose to abruptly adjourn meetings in 2024 on several occasions after Dennis upended the city’s business with tirades and insults directed to his fellow councillors. 

Then, on Nov. 26, Bradley took another tack and expelled Dennis from an online budget meeting. He said it was the first time in his 36 years as mayor that he’d taken that step.

Now he says he won’t hesitate to immediately expel anyone who has outbursts or disrespects others on council.

Meanwhile, council has been meeting online since May, rather than in person, following a series of violations of the Municipal Code of Conduct.

Bradley said he met recently with MPP Bob Bailey and discussed new provincial legislation introduced at Queen’s Park in December to allow for the removal of municipal politicians from office for breaking the code of conduct. 

But, as it stands, removal and disqualification from running again could only happen if the municipal integrity commissioner recommends it, if Ontario’s integrity commissioner agrees, and if councillors except for the member in question unanimously agree to it in a vote.

That cumbersome process should be dropped in favour of a decision from a single, independent third party with the authority to expel a council member, Bradley said. .

Meanwhile, council will continue to meet on Zoom at least until the latest health and safety investigation concludes.

Bradley said he understands why elected official’s behavior at council meetings continues to be top-of-mind for Sarnians. But he said he regrets it gets more attention than the progress being made on bigger issues facing the city.

“Look at all the housing starts we’ve done; look at how we kept the budget reasonable; all the things that are good for a city,” he said.  “And it’s all lost.”

During a wide-ranging speech Tuesday to kick off the New Year in front of about 50 members of the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Sarnia-Lambton, Bradley detailed a variety of issues. Key highlights were:

1.     On Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation as leader of the Liberal party Monday: “It’s the worst timing possible for Justin Trudeau to leave,” said Bradley.  “If he had left a year ago, there would have been time for a proper succession.”  The fact that Trump will be sworn in within weeks and parliament is prorogued until March 24, could leave Canada vulnerable, said Bradley.  “We’ll get through it but we’ve left ourselves open to some major, major issues and the ability to push back. I’m worried because (Sarnia is) an energy hub and we need to protect that.”

2.     On Trump’s threat to increase tariffs on Canadian goods: Bradley said he hopes to organize a meeting with all mayors of Canadian border cities. “We’re on the front line of the security issue, the migrant issue and on the tariff issue.” But Trudeau’s resignation has delayed any meeting, Bradley added, saying it will have to wait until the Liberals have a new leader.

3.     On improving border security: Bradley said he will continue his efforts to re-establish an RCMP detachment in Sarnia.  Last year, he wrote Canada’s public safety minister asking for a local RCMP office here and plans to follow up, even suggest there is space for an RCMP office at the Chris Hadfield Airport.

4.     On the local economy: Bradley said Sarnia has “two pillars” related to job growth and they are Lambton College and the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park.  “Both are struggling,” he said. “…It’s a really quiet year on the economic development front.” Bradley acknowledged that morale among local business people “is not good” and said 2025 will be “a long haul” economically.

5.      On city spending: Sarnia’s 2025 budget contains $60 million for capital projects, including $4 million – the highest ever – for paving city streets, primarily in the north end.  Norm Perry Park and Germain Park will be improved this year after Canatara Park was upgraded last year with a new master plan on the way.  Once Lambton County sets its budget, Sarnians will have a property tax increase of about 3%, the mayor predicted.

6.     On debt: Sarnia is “one of the few, almost debt-free cities in Canada,” according to the mayor, and hasn’t borrowed from the bank for 20 years.  Before that, Sarnia’s debt hovered near $100 million but now the city has paid it down and only borrows from itself.

7.      On a decision by Diageo to put a proposed Crown Royal plant “on hold” in St. Clair Township:  “It didn’t really have anything to do with the cost of the land or the location, it was…about a change in drinking habits on the part of the public.  They aren’t drinking heavy alcohol like they used to.”

8.     On the homeless issue: “I take a lot of criticism, myself and more progressive members of council who said we just can’t abandon people in our community,” said Bradley.  Rainbow Park was occupied by as many as 100 homeless people last summer but that number is down to about 12 with 16 tents, he said.  “We took a lot of flack but we came up with a plan to fence the park and when they left, they could not get back in.”

Encampments are not the answer and council wanted to protect the neighbourhood and get the homeless to a better place, Bradley said.  “Housing is the answer.”

9.     On the affordable housing crisis: Bradley said in the last year council has approved over 1,200 new apartment units, including 118 units about to open at the former Sarnia General Hospital site.  The more housing available, the lower rents in general, suggested the mayor.

10.   On Centennial Park’s Suncor Agora: If he had his choice, Bradley said he’d bulldoze the stage built in 2016 because of its many flaws. He said a study is ongoing to look at improvements.  “It never should have been built the way it was to be honest with you,” Bradley said.