Sarnia's mayor discusses ongoing issues faced in the new year

Sarnia's mayor is calling on higher levels of government to "get on with it" so more affordable housing can become available sooner rather than later.

As homelessness and affordable housing continue to be a top priority in 2024, Mayor Mike Bradley said a "wartime effort" seen in the past to build homes and fill jobs is needed once again.

While some projects wait for county approval, Bradley said it's up to the government, especially the federal government, to change the status quo because it's not working.

"Forget the photo-op announcements, just get on with it," he said.

Bradley said there are 2,300 units waiting for development, however, projects continue to face multiple barriers. He referenced operating funds, high interest rates, and the need for changes with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) so non-profit organizations can receive more assistance with their projects.

"If the government really wanted to do something, that's what they could do, reform CMHC," Bradley said.

On a more positive note, Bradley said many housing projects are expected to come up for city and county approval this year, including a proposed Northgate residential development.

Aside from residential growth, Bradley said he would also like to see economic growth, specifically at the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park. He said there have been financial struggles due to downsizing over the past couple of years.

"Losing or having the downsizing had a huge impact on our cash flow and so we're trying to get it back by getting more tenants in there. There's a real cross-section of tenants in there, it doesn't just have to be in research," Bradley said.

"So that's going to be the biggest challenge in the first part of this year, to move forward and get the research park back on track - it's not [based] on what it's doing, they've done an excellent job, it is on the fact that we just lost cash flow."

Research park officials previously said the site was going through a transition phase and they were aiming to accommodate the needs of potential tenants.

Further information about the research park is expected to go to city council in February or March.

Bradley referenced the research park as an economic and social pillar in the community, along with Lambton College and the Sarnia-Lambton Immigration Task Force.

The mayor gave his annual "State of the City Address" Tuesday morning at the Kiwanis Club of Sarnia-Lambton Golden K's first meeting of 2024.