Sarnia voters usually pick the party that forms Canada's government. What do they want this election?
CBC News | Posted: April 25, 2025 8:23 PM | Last Updated: April 25
Housing prices, trade war top issues for people in Sarnia
For decades, people who vote in the southwestern Ontario city of Sarnia were known for picking winners.
Back in 1963, as part of the district known as Lambton West, voters sent Liberal Walter Foy to Ottawa to represent them as part of Lester B. Pearson's Liberal government.
That started a pattern of electing the party that would go on to form federal government up until 2015, when Sarnia-Lambton decided Conservative candidate Marilyn Gladu was the person to represent them in Ottawa.
Sarnia's bellwether status ended when much of the country decided the Liberals were the right party to lead the country, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leading the way.
Gladu has since been re-elected twice and is once again running for the Conservatives in the newly expanded district of Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong.
Voters tell CBC News they want a government that will get affordable housing built, stand up to tariffs thrown down by the United States and protect jobs in the oil and gas sector.
There's also worry that party leaders won't follow through on promises and that the polarized nature of Canadian politics over the last few years have made it impossible for party leaders to work together for the greater good.
Housing crisis grips city's attention
A small patch of green space near the city's downtown riverfront became a combative source of debate over how to help people that don't have somewhere permanent to live.
Last summer dozens of people started setting up tents at Rainbow Park to live in because they had nowhere else to go, said Myles Vanni, executive director of the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
Police cleared the space this winter and the city has since cleaned up the park while also installing metal gates in an attempt to stop the encampment from forming once again.
Arguments between home and business owners in the area during council meetings and town halls with police have led to a strong desire for action, said Vanni.
"All that is building this groundswell from the community saying we need to do something," he told CBC News.
His not-for-profit shelter has secured land to build affordable housing but Vanni said there's been delays because of red tape and capital costs.
"One of the challenges not-for-profits like ours are facing is how do we get the funding to build that building?" he asked.
He said they're having troubles getting units built that he can rent out at an affordable rate of $800 while still paying the mortgage.
"It just doesn't raise enough to cover those operating costs. So the government really needs to focus on not-for-profits, enabling them by providing grants for those buildings."
What to do about U.S. President Donald Trump
Walking along the city's riverfront boardwalk, Johnie Kerr said increasing costs of housing has made it difficult for him to move out of his parents home.
"That's like one of my number one complaints," he said.
"You know, I'm in my late 20s and I still don't have a house, so that'd be nice."
Kerr, living in a border city with the United States, has seen how U.S. President Donald Trump's threats against Canada's sovereignty and becoming the 51st state have shaken up some but he's not worried.
"I don't believe that's going to happen at all. That's silly to me."
Robert Moore said those tariffs are top of mind for him in this election, one he would prefer would have been put on pause so party leaders could agree on a unified front against the trade war.
"I think the leaders should have all got together and banned against Trump because I'm afraid we're gonna have the same problem after the election," said Moore.
That problem, in his eyes?
"A minority government."
Moore said whoever gets elected needs to have a strong plan to deal with Trump's shifting threats but also a way to make housing more affordable.
He said encampments like the one at Rainbow Park are signs of deeper affordability issues.
"A single person making 20 bucks an hour could not hardly afford to rent an apartment, feed himself or herself, let alone have a car because the rent is so high in this city," said Moore.
Lowell Bida thinks the next leader of this country needs to focus on the affordability crunch as well. She worries about the next generation of Canadians.
"My kids, my grandkids, I worry for them more than I worry for us," she said, citing inflation and unemployment as key areas of concern.
She believes the Liberals will win on Monday before adding that she's "not saying that's what I want."
Her husband Pete believes the Liberals have been in power for too long and that the country needs change.
"I was never a Liberal fan. I mean, Trudeau's been in there long, way too long. I always like the Conservatives and I'm hoping they get back in," he said.
He believes a Conservative government is better for Sarnia because of their party's attitude toward the petrochemical sector.
"I think the Conservatives want to keep the oil going... so the Conservatives I think are going to do a better job."
Both said they're not certain that whoever is elected will actually follow through on their campaign promises and questioned whether people elected to Ottawa have the ability to work across party lines anymore.
"Hell no," said Peter.
"No, I don't trust them to work together again. Would be nice if they did, but I do not trust them to work together," said Lowell.
"There's too much animosity between them."
The following candidates are running in Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong.
- Jacques Boudreau — Libertarian Party of Canada.
- Lo-Anne Chan — New Democratic Party.
- Brian Everaert — People's Party of Canada.
- Marilyn Gladu — Conservative Party of Canada (incumbent).
- Mark Lamore — Christian Heritage Party of Canada.
- Anthony Mitchell — Rhinoceros Party.
- George Vandenberg — Liberal Party of Canada.