Cathy Dobson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Petrolia Lambton Independent
Once local leaders processed the shock of MP Marilyn Gladu’s defection to the Liberal party Wednesday, they began thinking about whether Sarnia-Lambton will be better off for it.
“As a Conservative MP, she has not been a strong advocate so we’d expect her to step up her game,” said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley.
“Let’s see if this member crossing the floor makes a difference.”
Lambton County and the City of Sarnia have “all kinds of asks” to the federal government that have gone unanswered for a long time, Bradley said.
He listed expanded rail service, new uses for the city’s Chris Hadfield Airport, and financing for new Lambton County housing projects as just some of the projects that a newly-Liberal MP could assist with.
None of those issues are new and have been brought to Gladu’s attention many times since she became MP in 2015. As a member of the opposition, she hasn’t taken them anywhere, Bradley said. As a member of the Liberal government, he’s hopeful things will change.
“An MP can have an impact. Our problem is that we haven’t had a member who’s been saying “Sarnia-Lambton, Sarnia-Lambton, Sarnia-Lambton,” said the mayor.
“We are a major petrochemical, industrial hub and I would hope that finally this region is recognized by this government.”
City Coun. George Vandenberg agreed, saying it’s his hope that “Ottawa will stop ignoring Sarnia-Lambton.”
Vandenberg ran in the 2025 federal election as the Liberal candidate and lost to Gladu by about 11,000 votes.
“We are a powerhouse with a lot of potential and it’s time Ottawa sees that potential,” Vandenberg said.
Sarnia-Lambton has been overlooked for a number of new industries including battery plants that are locating in other areas of southwestern Ontario but an MP that is no longer in opposition could help change that, he said. “In the long run, this could be a good thing for us.”
Both Bradley and Vandenberg said they believe Gladu should be true to her comments made earlier this winter that floor-crossers should face voters in a byelection.
“If the MP believed it months ago, then she should stand by her word,” Bradley said.
However, at least one prominent Liberal doesn’t believe a byelection is in the best interests of the riding.
Roger Gallaway served Sarnia-Lambton as a Liberal MP from 1993 – 2006.
Five MPs have crossed the floor in as many months and Gladu is the fourth Conservative, Gallaway noted.
“It’s an epidemic and it makes you wonder what is going on,” he said.
If Gladu has to stand for a byelection, then the other floor-crossers should as well, added Gallaway.
“It’s a great surprise that this has happened. It’s a very serious decision,” he said. “She must have been very torn to do this and I wish her well.”
”She’s the last person I thought would choose this path”
The chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Liberal Association says she is optimistic several of MP Marilyn Gladu’s opinions will change now that she has crossed the floor.
The former Conservative MP has previously expressed views about Covid-19 and Donald Trump that were “disturbing and not helpful,” said Kim Fyfe, hours after learning Gladu joined the federal Liberal party Wednesday.
“Her crossing the floor is completely out of the blue. We knew nothing about it,” said Fyfe. “I want to remain open-minded about the future and see if she will mesh with Liberals.”
Fyfe spoke to The Independent while travelling to Montreal where the 2026 Liberal National Convention is scheduled to start Friday.
Gladu quickly contacted Fyfe after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Gladu was joining the Liberals. “She would like to sit down and talk at the convention,” Fyfe said. “Obviously, we’ve not worked together. She’s the last person I thought would choose this path.
“But I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes. Maybe this will work out well.
“Liberal values are pretty clearly outlined and she has not represented them in the past,” Fyfe said. “But I have to assume she is choosing to embrace Liberal policies now.”
Fyfe said a byelection is not an option although the national media has discussed the possibility for MPs crossing the floor and Gladu herself supported the idea in recent months.
However, Canada works under the Westminister Parliament system, which does not allow for byelections in these circumstances, Fyfe said.
“Although candidates run under a party banner, each individual is elected to represent their riding, not their party,” she said. “So this should not trigger a new election.”
Instead, voters will determine Gladu’s future if she runs in the next federal election.
“It will be up to the voters to determine whether this was a good decision on her part,” said Fyfe.
“It’s our job as an association to support the candidate and, if we have an MP, to support the MP.”
Fyfe said the local Liberal association grew to 1,000 members in 2025 when Mark Carney became federal leader, and continues to have strong participation.
That was a dramatic change after Gladu won four terms as a Conservative, leaving the Sarnia-Lambton Liberal association in tatters for nearly a decade.
