The problems plaguing Sarnia-Lambton in recent years are almost exactly the same as those seen across the St. Clair River in Port Huron, Michigan.
Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp said since the COVID-19 pandemic they've seen a spike in drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, and workforce challenges.
Repp was the guest speaker at Tuesday's Kiwanis Club of Sarnia-Lambton Golden K meeting, along with Director of Planning and Community Development David Haynes.
Addiction, specifically drug addiction, is still prevalent in the U.S. city but Repp said organizations such as Blue Water Recovery & Outreach Center are trying to help.
As for homelessness, Repp said the situation became worse during the pandemic for a number of reasons, including the closure of a privately operated men's shelter. However, Repp said the site is expected to reopen under new management sometime in December.
The need for affordable housing has also hindered Port Huron's workforce, as there are few options for people who may consider relocating to the city to fill available positions. Repp said the unemployment rate has significantly dropped from 17 per cent in 2013 to 4.3 per cent, with businesses having trouble finding workers.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector has been thriving. Repp highlighted the city's industry park which is now full.
"It started back in the '70s and it has taken a long time to fill that park up. It's one of our main employer areas where we have quite a few different companies that are there," said Repp.
The mayor said in the last 10 years or so, the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County has recorded 104 total projects from the park and the creation of over 1,700 jobs.
Now, Repp said the challenge is to attract new development projects to Port Huron, especially with interest rates being so high.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said he enjoyed Repp's presentation. He also said the challenges she referenced shows, "the river does not block issues."
"Whether it be housing, the homeless, the addicted... our communities are dealing with the same issues; and some of the other economic issues are the same issues," said Bradley. "I think it's good that people understand that it's not isolated, it's in every Canadian city, every American city."
One positive outcome since the pandemic has been the increased interest in outside activities. Repp said the city has since seen an uptick in visitors, especially from the Detroit area.
"We have a lot of people come to our beaches, come tour parks, come to our area, which is good for business because then they eat and do all kinds of things while they're here," she said. "So I think that that has opened up a whole different area, a little bit more tourism than we used to have."
However, tourism from southwestern Ontarians appears to have dropped since the pandemic. Repp said big box stores such as Meijer and Walmart saw a "big drop" in sales when border restrictions were in place.
"It has picked back up again definitely, I don't think it's back to what it was before but it has picked up now that restrictions are no longer what they were for a while," she said.
The visit was a homecoming of sorts for Repp. The Port Huron mayor was born in England, UK, and briefly lived in Bright's Grove as a child, before her family moved to the U.S.