City of Sarnia

Budget, taxes and police spending

Fiscal pressure frames the race. Bradley, who proposes the budget under strong-mayor powers, notes: “Last year, I cut a proposed 14 per cent increase to three per cent before the council review,” and points to almost $300 million spent last term on roads, sewers, a fire hall, transit terminals, libraries and arena upgrades. Dennis — who has been ordered by an Ontario court to pay $33K in damages to the Children’s Aid Society leader he called a ‘grifter’ — says “Every dollar must be justified,” “strongly opposed the proposed $91 million to $120 million police headquarters,” and estimates a recent $3.5-million police board capital request “could have an impact equivalent to as much as a 3-to-4-per-cent property tax increase.” McEachran, a police board member, says taxpayers “have every right to expect the same financial discipline and accountability from the police service” as from any public service, and Molson, citing a $196.4-million 2026 operating budget, wants to “fix the basics first, control operating costs, invest in critical infrastructure and build the future when we can afford it.” All four candidates’ full answers are in the Observer candidate Q&A.

Strong mayor powers and the veto record

Sarnia has had strong mayor powers since October 31, 2023. Bradley says he used them “only strategically last year to cut by 10 per cent the budget and on the new police station and the BACE project because of their high tax impact on the citizens of Sarnia,” adding “Province said that use can’t occur again” after he vetoed the police station borrowing. In December 2025 council “voted 6-3 to overturn Mayor Mike Bradley’s veto, and approve possibly borrowing $4.1 million for the proposed $23-million Sarnia Bace sports complex,” while his police-station veto stood after an override motion from Coun. Anne Marie Gillis failed (Observer). Dennis answers flatly: “Yes, I will use strong mayor powers.” McEachran says “Strong mayor powers should not be used as a substitute for working with council,” and Molson says “Strong powers should come with equally strong transparency.”

Border and trade ties with Port Huron

As a border community under U.S. tariffs, the candidates split on how to handle Port Huron. Bradley: “I have been a leader in fighting locally, provincially, federally and internationally the tariff war of U.S. President Donald Trump on Canada… The relationship with Port Huron was treasured, however it is now strained. I don’t expect that to change in the next few years.” Dennis, who cites 30 years in real estate, says “Political disagreements between Ottawa and Washington should not be allowed to undermine the longstanding relationships between our two communities” and defends gestures like raising the American flag. McEachran notes that as chamber CEO “I sit on the board of the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce in Port Huron,” and Molson argues “The border shouldn’t only be something we drive across. It should be an economic advantage Sarnia actively uses” (Observer Q&A).

Industry, jobs and relations with local First Nations

A city working group with First Nations representation is crafting follow-through on council-approved recommendations to strengthen ties with local First Nations and the urban Indigenous population, and the answers show a fault line. Bradley: “I treasure the relationship with the Aamjiwnaang and support moving forward on the recommendations.” Dennis: “Sarnia comes first… Our industries are the economic backbone of this community. I will not support recommendations that threaten those jobs, discourage investment or undermine Sarnia’s economic future,” and he opposes “transferring or sharing municipal decision-making authority beyond what is required by law.” McEachran: “Reconciliation is not something the city should define for Indigenous communities.” Molson would judge each recommendation “based on their substance, implementation requirements and municipal responsibilities” (Observer Q&A).

Harbourfront housing versus the Cargill terminal

During the campaign, Lambton County Council “voted against an official plan amendment for a proposed new build on Sarnia’s harbourfront” — a 14-storey, 105-unit Tricar Properties mixed-use building at 485 Harbour Rd. near the Cargill grain site “that has been at the harbourfront since 1927.” Sarnia city council had advanced the amendment, and city-and-county councillor Bill Dennis told county colleagues they “have no right, no business to tell us, tell municipalities that they can’t build close to it” (Sarnia News Today). The clash between waterfront residential development and long-standing industrial operations ran through the campaign period and features in the city-and-county race.

Housing, homelessness and supportive housing

At the October 1 debate, McEachran pledged to “create a Mayor’s Action Committee” on homelessness and addictions; Molson stressed “accountability and compassion” and working with CMHA, the county and the province on treatment-to-recovery pathways and subsidized housing. On planning, Bradley notes he “brought the motion to Lambton County council in 2023 to make affordable housing the No. 1 priority.” Dennis says “When it comes to supportive housing, location is absolutely critical” and points to his fight over Rainbow Park; McEachran says affordable and supportive housing “should not be subjected to unnecessary barriers or stigma, but neither should we abandon a fair and transparent planning process.” Sources: Observer Q&A, Sarnia News Today debate recap.

Mayor

City Councillor

Councillor (County And City)