As she reflects on 2023, Sarnia-Lambton Member of Parliament Marilyn Gladu says it was a particularly tough year for people.
"I was hearing at my office all the time about people not being able to pay their bills, losing their houses because of the high cost of the carbon tax, inflation, and increased interest rates," she said.
Gladu said affordable housing has to remain a top priority in 2024.
"Prices are out of control and you can't find a place to live. We absolutely have to address that by building more homes and lowering the interest rates by stopping the inflationary spending of the government," Gladu said. "I think the other side of that equation is making sure that we are growing the economy and thinking about seniors on a fixed income. We have a huge number of seniors here in Sarnia-Lambton and they've been very hard-pressed with the economic reality."
Gladu said the riding did receive funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs this past year but noted that more is needed.
Concerns were also raised this year in regards to faith-based hatred.
"We've seen a huge rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia as a result of what's happening in Gaza," Gladu said. "But also, more recently even, attacks that say Christmas is racist."
The local MP recently introduced a private member's bill to designate the month of December as Christian Heritage Month. If there are dedicated months to recognize other religions, she questioned, why not?
"I think the message is, Canada has always been a place for freedom of religion and we want to make sure that in everybody's religion... people can worship safely, people can worship and tolerate one another and get along. That's really what we want to see," Gladu said. "But with all of the riots that have been happening across the country, there certainly is room to improve."
Looking at some highlights from this past year, Gladu noted economic growth, as Origin Materials officially opened and as plans continue for a whisky distillery to be built in St. Clair Township.
Another highlight included the passing of Gladu's private member's bill to protect pensions if companies go through bankruptcy. Bill C-228 was introduced in 2022 and received royal assent in 2023.
"I think if we think about people who worked at places like Sears and Eaton's who lost their pension after working most of their lives... I'm proud of that bill," Gladu said.
On a personal note, Gladu also highlighted the arrival of a new grandchild in 2023.
-With files from Stephanie Chaves
