Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu says the year started off with concerns about affordability and will likely carry over into the new year.
In an interview with Sarnia News Today, Gladu said 2025 started off with challenges associated with U.S. imposed tariffs and little has changed.
"[Prime Minister] Mark Carney was going to get us a deal by July 21 and he was the man with the plan, but I think we still have 50 per cent tariffs on steel and copper, and 45 per cent of softwood lumber, and 25 per cent on everything else, and no deal," she said. "So I think that has really had an impact on businesses, on people personally."
U.S. President Donald Trump ended trade talks with Canada in October due to an anti-tariff ad created by the Ontario Government.
Gladu also noted the decline in cross-border traffic as a result of the tense relationship between the two countries.
Compared to other communities, Gladu said Sarnia-Lambton is lucky to have not been impacted by job losses associated with the auto and softwood lumber industries.
"We're lucky here that things have maintained in terms of our local industry but still, I think people are looking to the future and are concerned," she said.
Affordability and health care were two of the main concerns Gladu heard most from constituents this year.
Looking ahead to the new year, Gladu said she doesn't see any relief coming in the near future when it comes to food affordability.
"We know at the grocery store, the prices are way up and there are things the government could do," she said. "They took off the consumer carbon tax but they put in an industrial carbon tax that then just gets charged back through the whole supply chain and they put in food packaging requirements that are now driving the cost of food up."
As posted to the Government of Canada's website, money collected through the federal industrial carbon pricing system is returned to the province where it was collected.
Gladu's wish for 2026 is to see the government fulfil promises the Prime Minister made, including improved rates, new builds, and pipeline projects.
"That's what I'd like to see, is actual actions that reflect the words that have been said. The words are right, let's see the builds," she said.
Gladu was re-elected to serve a fourth term during the 45th general election held in April.
