At The Sarnia Journal, we believe community media has a responsibility to do more than just report on campaigns, we need to be a platform for voters to hear directly from the people who want to represent them. That’s why we’ve invited every candidate in Sarnia-Lambton’s MPP race to share where they stand on key issues that affect our community.
These answers aren’t filtered through press releases or campaign ads, they’re presented in full so voters can read them in context and understand exactly where each candidate stands. Because when you cast your ballot, you’re choosing someone to represent Sarnia-Lambton, to advocate for our needs, and to make decisions that shape our future.
We hope this series helps voters feel informed and engaged in the process. An informed community is a strong one, and that’s what local media should be working to build.
Meet your candidates: Nathan Colquhoun, Independent
1. Why are you running to be the MPP for Sarnia-Lambton?
I’ve always been a political person because I believe the systems we live under can be changed to make life better for everyone. There are better and worse ways to organize society, and right now, the people in power are choosing profit and political control over people.
I can’t sit back and watch as Sarnia-Lambton—the community I live in and love—keeps getting ignored and tossed around by whatever party happens to be in power. That’s why I’m running—to actually represent this community, not a party, and to fight for the kind of decisions that put people first.
2. The province is appealing the court ruling that struck down Bill 124, which capped public sector wages and affected contract negotiations for nurses and healthcare workers. Do you support continuing the appeal, or should the province raise wages?
No, I do not support the appeal.
If the Conservatives were actually against red tape, they’d stop dragging healthcare workers through unnecessary legal battles and just pay them fairly. Bill 124 was ruled unconstitutional, and instead of accepting that, the province is wasting taxpayer money fighting it. This isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s political stubbornness at the expense of Ontario’s workers.
If they can find billions for corporate handouts, they can afford to pay the nurses and frontline staff who keep our hospitals running.
3. Sarnia has seen an increase in homelessness. The province allocates funding for both law enforcement and housing-related initiatives. How do you think these funds should be prioritized?
The province should prioritize housing and community support over more funding for law enforcement.
We already know what works—housing first, mental health services, and harm reduction. But instead of investing in real solutions, the province keeps throwing money at policing, which does nothing to address why people are homeless in the first place.
We need to expand off-market housing solutions like co-ops and community land trusts that ensure long-term affordability, rather than relying on developers to solve a crisis they profit from. If we actually invest in communities instead of policing poverty, we’ll see real change.
4. Sarnia’s Chemical Valley accounts for over 10% of Ontario’s industrial emissions. The province has adjusted environmental regulations in recent years, including allowing companies to self-report emissions. Do you believe the current approach is effective, or should there be changes?
The current approach is failing. There needs to be independent oversight—not just corporate self-reporting.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation has been disproportionately affected by pollution from Chemical Valley for decades. They’ve led the fight for stronger environmental protections, but instead of supporting them, the province has loosened regulations, allowing companies to monitor themselves.
Public health should never take a backseat to corporate profit. We need stronger independent monitoring, regular air and water quality testing, and accountability for companies that don’t comply. This is about safety—not just for industry, but for the people who live here.
5. Sarnia does not have direct access to GO Transit and has limited VIA Rail service. What is your position on expanding public transit options for the region?
Yes, I support expanding public transit options for Sarnia.
Healthy economies are connected to one another. Right now, Sarnia is isolated from the rest of Ontario’s transit network. No GO service, barely any VIA service, and regional transit options that don’t meet the demand. That means missed job opportunities, harder access to healthcare, and fewer options for people without cars.
Investing in transit isn’t just about convenience—it’s about economic development. If we actually want to keep young people in Sarnia, help businesses grow, and improve access to jobs and services, we need better transit connections.
6. Sarnia’s police budget is set to increase by 9.64% this year. In your view, what is the appropriate balance of provincial funding between law enforcement and other public services such as mental health and housing?
The police budget isn’t provincial, but the need for constant increases is a direct result of provincial failures.
If the province properly funded housing, mental health care, and social services, municipalities wouldn’t be relying on police to handle problems they aren’t trained for. Instead of addressing root causes, we’re funding more enforcement—then wondering why nothing is improving.
Sarnia’s police budget keeps going up because the province isn’t doing its job. If we actually funded prevention instead of punishment, we wouldn’t need to increase police spending every year.
7. Ontario has a $5.4 billion surplus. Some municipalities have raised concerns about financial pressures and revenue sources. Do you believe cities should receive additional provincial funding, and if so, how would you approach that issue?
Yes, municipalities deserve more provincial funding—especially when the province is running a $5.4 billion surplus.
The province has left cities like Sarnia-Lambton struggling to maintain basic infrastructure, even while sitting on record-high surpluses. Our roads, transit, and public services are constantly underfunded, forcing cities to either cut services or raise taxes to make up the difference.
We’ve seen this play out time and time again—local governments are forced to beg for funding while Queen’s Park hoards resources. That needs to change.
8. Ontario’s living wage estimates indicate that workers in Sarnia-Lambton would need to earn at least $19/hour to meet basic expenses such as housing, food, and transportation. Do you support changes to the minimum wage, and why or why not?
Yes, minimum wage should reflect the real cost of living.
People working full-time shouldn’t be struggling to afford food and rent. The living wage in Sarnia-Lambton is $19/hour, but the provincial minimum is still far below that. If wages don’t keep up, all we’re doing is guaranteeing more people will need government assistance just to survive.
This isn’t just about workers—it’s about the economy. When people have disposable income, they spend it locally. Raising wages means stronger small businesses, better job retention, and a healthier community overall.
9. Public schools in Lambton-Kent have experienced funding adjustments, including changes to class sizes and available resources. Meanwhile, private schools receive some provincial funding. What is your position on education funding in Ontario?
Public money should go to public schools.
We’ve seen major funding cuts in Lambton-Kent, leading to larger class sizes, fewer resources, and school closures. Meanwhile, private schools continue to receive government funding. That’s backwards—public money should be strengthening the education system that serves the majority of Ontarians.
If the province can afford to fund private education, it can afford to invest in public schools, reduce class sizes, and fix crumbling infrastructure. Sarnia-Lambton students deserve better.
10. Ontario has adjusted its approach to climate adaptation funding in recent years. With concerns about flooding, storms, and shoreline erosion in Sarnia-Lambton, do you believe the current level of support is sufficient, or would you advocate for changes?
No, the current level of funding isn’t enough.
Flooding, shoreline erosion, and extreme storms aren’t abstract climate concerns—they’re hitting Sarnia-Lambton right now. The province has scaled back climate adaptation funding, leaving municipalities scrambling to deal with the damage.
This is where infrastructure funding should be going—upgrading drainage systems, reinforcing shorelines, and preventing disasters before they happen. If we wait for another crisis before acting, it’ll only cost more in the long run.