During his yearly address on the state of the city, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley urged local residents to think about running for office in this year’s municipal election.
The election for 2026 is scheduled for October.
Bradley mentioned that this current council will probably take a step back from city hall activities around June or July as they enter the campaign phase.
Over time, he has had conversations with candidates about what it really means to be on council and the hurdles presented by social media.
“The world has changed and is much more combative, particularly for women candidates,” he said. “But we need good people to run so the vacuum isn’t filled by people who shouldn’t be at the council chamber.”
Bradley hasn’t yet made a decision on whether he’ll seek re-election.
Having first been elected mayor in 1988, he holds the title of Ontario’s second longest-serving mayor.
Given the current “bully culture,” Bradley expressed that it wouldn’t surprise him if every municipal election across Ontario turns out to be “difficult.”
“Getting good people to run and then the climate we’re in.. we cannot sustain it when you have meetings being adjourned because of the behaviour — not of the public but because of the councillors,” Bradley said. “Not just here, I believe Newmarket is another example and there are some others across the province — and it’s not just councils, it’s also school boards.”
He mentioned that ideally, if someone poses serious harm to a community or council, there should be a way to remove them through legal action. Right now, council can decide to reprimand a member based on advice from the integrity commissioner or they can choose to receive and file that report.
Bradley spoke as a guest at the Kiwanis Club of Sarnia-Lambton Golden K meeting held on Tuesday, January 6.
Looking towards 2026, he expressed excitement about an upcoming funding announcement aimed at benefiting the Wellington Street expansion project. He also hopes for increased backing for the research park from county officials during budget discussions.
In his speech, Bradley addressed worries regarding a recent Minister’s Zoning Order which is expected to remain an important issue in upcoming months.
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