Sarnia-Lambton's Conservative MP says some of the challenges of 2022 are likely to continue in the new year.
Marilyn Gladu said Canadians are struggling with the cost of living at an all-time high, high inflation, and the cost of groceries, gas and home heating are through the roof.
She said the focus for the new year needs to be the economy
"I hope it's the focus for the government because it's certainly a number one item on every citizen's list," said Gladu. "We all see the cost of everything going up, and for many it's causing them to make difficult choices, heating or eating, and whether or not they can afford to keep their house. There are a number of projects that will be built in Sarnia-Lambton to take some of the pressure off affordable housing, and then we have to get inflation under control. People who are living on a fixed income simply can't afford it."
Gladu said the federal government's expansion on medical assistance in dying legislation, and firearms ban is not what is of greatest concern for Canadians. If it's not the economy, it's health care.
"I think health care is clearly in dire straits," she said. "We see people that don't have doctors, a shortage of nurses and the system is struggling in general, and the federal government's role in keeping basic medications for children. I think all these things are top of mind for Canadians and so that will be my top of mind, to remind the government that that should be their top of mind."
On a personal note, Gladu said 2022 was a memorable year for her, as she recently got married.
"For myself, I got married so that was a great change, but I think it was a year of change overall for Canadians, for people in Sarnia-Lambton and for our party," she said. "Erin O' Toole was ousted early in the year and I supported Pierre Poilievre who had a huge victory, and since then have got a new portfolio. So, now I'm on the Civil Liberties, [shadow cabinet] making sure that the government is not infringing on them the way that they did during the pandemic."
