Journal Staff
Despite being uninvited to participate in the Labour Day parade by the Sarnia & District Labour Council, Conservative MPP Bob Bailey received a generally warm response from the rank and file on Monday.
Many marchers in the 113th annual parade waved back and a number left the procession to shake Bailey’s hand as he stood on the sidewalk in front of city hall.
Bailey had received in invitation to participate in the parade on Aug. 14. But he was informed Wednesday he was no longer welcome because he is a Conservative politician.
Bailey was elected MPP for Sarnia-Lambton in 2007 and had been a regular participant. This year ‘s parade was themed “Time for Change.”
Following the snub, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, who has walked at the front of the parade the past 25-plus years and is the son of the late labour leader Des Bradley, said Friday he would not participate.
“I believe (my father) would be greatly disappointed by the decision of the Sarnia & District Labour Council to exclude individuals as he believed in building bridges instead of burning them,” he said.
The mayor watched the bands, floats and demonstration of organized labour from the west side of Front Street.