Sarnia's mayor says he's "cautiously optimistic" about the year ahead but recognizes the challenges the community -- and country -- will face in terms of economic uncertainty.
Mike Bradley said from a council perspective, the city continues to invest in capital projects. However, costs are expected to continue trending upward due to U.S. imposed tariffs, and could further increase if the Canada-U.S.-Mexico agreement is not renewed. "I'm always optimistic going into the new year for the community. I know the spirit of Sarnians, I know how they think, I know that they want good things for the community, and so do I," Bradley said. "But we also got to be realistic, 2026 is going to be one of the most difficult years for Canadians ever."
Bradley said he's hopeful for more activity in the community when it comes to commercial and industrial development.
"There are a lot of things in motion, but what's really holding everything back is the fear about the Trump tariffs and the impacts on Canadians," he said.
Bradley specifically referenced Sault Ste. Marie, a similar border city, was recently impacted by layoffs stemming from tariffs.
"That is extremely difficult for any community to deal with, so we have to prepare ourselves," Bradley said. "I don't like to be doom and gloom but this is the reality of what we're dealing with."
While he is "cautiously optimistic," Bradley said the only way to get through these challenges, both domestic and international, is to do it together.
"The finger pointing and the scapegoating doesn't work," he said.
As he reflects on the past year, Bradley said a highlight for him was the announcement of the HART Hub.
As part of the hub model, a transitional housing facility will be located at the former Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School (SCITS) building on Wellington Street.
"When it's open and fully running, it'll deal with the addiction and mental health issues, the housing issues, and it will be a key part in moving forward," Bradley said. "These fundamental human misery issues are going to be dealt with because of the actions taken this year by different people in the community, collaborating together to say, 'Let's build a better community.'"
In the meantime, a municipal election is scheduled to take place in 2026. Bradley was not willing to confirm or deny whether he will seek reelection.
