“Maybe we’ll get some action around here,” says former Liberal candidate

Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative

Once local leaders processed the shock of MP Marilyn Gladu’s defection to the Liberal party Wednesday, they began thinking about whether Sarnia-Lambton will be better off for it.

“As a Conservative MP, she has not been a strong advocate so we’d expect her to step up her game,” said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley.

“Let’s see if this member crossing the floor makes a difference.”

Lambton County and the City of Sarnia have “all kinds of asks” to the federal government that have gone unanswered for a long time, Bradley said.

He listed expanded rail service, new uses for the city’s Chris Hadfield Airport, and financing for new Lambton County housing projects as just some of the projects that a newly-Liberal MP could assist with.

None of those issues are new and have been brought to Gladu’s attention many times since she became MP in 2015.  As a member of the opposition, she hasn’t taken them anywhere, Bradley said.  As a member of the Liberal government, he’s hopeful things will change.

“An MP can have an impact.  Our problem is that we haven’t had a member who’s been saying “Sarnia-Lambton, Sarnia-Lambton, Sarnia-Lambton,” said the mayor.

“We are a major petrochemical, industrial hub and I would hope that finally this region is recognized by this government.”

City Coun. George Vandenberg agreed, saying it’s his hope that “Ottawa will stop ignoring Sarnia-Lambton.”

Vandenberg ran in the 2025 federal election as the Liberal candidate and lost to Gladu by about 11,000 votes.

“We are a powerhouse with a lot of potential and it’s time Ottawa sees that potential,” Vandenberg said.  

Sarnia-Lambton has been overlooked for a number of new industries including battery plants that are locating in other areas of southwestern Ontario but an MP that is no longer in opposition could help change that, he said. “In the long run, this could be a good thing for us.”

Both Bradley and Vandenberg said they believe Gladu should be true to her comments made earlier this winter that floor-crossers should face voters in a byelection.

“If the MP believed it months ago, then she should stand by her word,” Bradley said.

However, at least one prominent Liberal doesn’t believe a byelection is in the best interests of the riding.

Roger Gallaway served Sarnia-Lambton as a Liberal MP from 1993 – 2006.

Five MPs have crossed the floor in as many months and Gladu is the fourth Conservative, Gallaway noted.

“It’s an epidemic and it makes you wonder what is going on,” he said. 

If Gladu has to stand for a byelection, then the other floor-crossers should as well, added Gallaway.

“It’s a great surprise that this has happened.  It’s a very serious decision,” he said.  “She must have been very torn to do this and I wish her well.”