Sarnia-Lambton's MPP may have a better idea of the concerns local residents face following a virtual town hall meeting, which included questions about the justice system, health care, and area industries.
The Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce hosted the informal event with Bob Bailey on Thursday.
Before addressing membership questions, Bailey began with a 13-minute opening speech to highlight some of the provincial announcements made in 2022.
Chamber CEO Carrie McEachran asked questions submitted ahead of the meeting. One specifically mentioned a backlog in small claims court and what will be done at a provincial level to remedy the situation.
Bailey said he understood the frustration from the business community and agreed to advocate "for better justice."
Another court-related question revolved around the "catch-and-release" system where repeat offenders are being released from custody.
Bailey said he has spoken with Sarnia's police chief and the OPP commissioner about the issue but said bail reforms fall under the responsibility of the federal government.
"I'm not trying to shirk any responsibility. I know we, at the province, are going to do everything we can with our federal counterparts to make those changes," Bailey said.
"Changes were made a number of years ago -- like under the Harper government -- they wanted to keep people incarcerated. A new government, when it came in in 2015 made changes to that. I don't like to be political, I'll leave that to other people but that is a fact."
Other questions submitted to the local MPP were in regard to Sarnia's withdrawal management facility, expanding the limits of Bright's Grove, and Bill 124.
Bailey was also asked what the province plans to do to ensure equitable funding for hospice services. He said he plans to bring the topic up at a caucus meeting next Tuesday as he works with other MPPs who also have a hospice in their riding.
"I want to put it on some level playing field with health care so that they don't have to go out and fundraise to such a large extent," Bailey said. "I intend to bring that up with my colleagues and I would try to move that along down the road."
The last question asked during the one-hour-long meeting was in regard to the federal government's goal of increasing the number of electric vehicles and what that could mean for those employed at local refineries.
Bailey said after speaking with the Canadian Fuel Association, he's not too concerned about the sector being heavily impacted.
"Based on their predictions, they do not expect a meaningful impact on the production from Ontario refineries," he said.
"They see increased demand for diesel trucks, jet fuel, and new low-carbon fuels as the future, which they feel will replace any loss in demand for gasoline."
The Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce posted the recorded video online for the public to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is-K-xZMjhw