In a move that should embarrass every elected official involved, Sarnia City Council has once again demonstrated its allegiance not to the city’s most vulnerable, but to the loudest and most privileged. The rejection of the Inn of the Good Shepherd’s affordable housing proposal—amidst a housing crisis—is an indictment of a council that has fallen prey to fearmongering rather than facts.
The 5-4 vote against the Exmouth and Melrose development marks yet another instance where NIMBY voices—those who cry "not in my backyard"—have overpowered the desperate need for housing solutions in this city. Council heard the usual refrains: concerns about crime, drugs, and disorder, none of which had any actual bearing on this specific development. Instead of recognizing the project for what it was—safe, affordable housing for working-class residents, seniors, and those struggling to keep up with rising rents—council allowed baseless fears to take the wheel.
This decision is more than just a failed vote; it is a signal to every developer and non-profit that Sarnia is not interested in real solutions. It sets a precedent that any housing initiative can be torpedoed by a handful of well-organized residents who would rather see people remain unhoused than live near them. That should be chilling to anyone who cares about the long-term health of this community.
Historically, these fears are not new. Time and again, cities have faced resistance to housing initiatives based on misplaced concerns about crime, property values, and “neighbourhood character.” But study after study has shown that affordable housing does not lead to increased crime. In fact, stable housing is one of the strongest predictors of reduced social disorder. The real danger isn’t in building affordable housing—it’s in failing to build it.
Sarnia has an opportunity to correct this mistake, but it will require elected officials to be courageous. Instead of allowing misinformation to dictate policy, council should take a leadership role in educating the public about what affordable housing actually is and who it serves. They must push forward housing initiatives despite the backlash, knowing that they are building a city for all residents, not just those with the loudest complaints.
One option remains on the table: an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. If the Inn of the Good Shepherd decides to pursue this route, the onus will be on the province to overturn this disgraceful decision. But Sarnia should not need Queen’s Park to tell it to do the right thing.
It is time for council to stop pandering to those who see progress as a threat. If they are unwilling to do that, then perhaps they are unfit to govern a growing city facing real challenges. Leadership is not about keeping the peace at the expense of justice. It is about making hard choices that shape the future of a city that should belong to everyone—not just those who can afford to keep others out.