Marilyn Gladu’s record: saying one thing in Sarnia–Lambton, voting another in Ottawa

Marilyn Gladu, Member of Parliament for Sarnia–Lambton since 2015, has repeatedly claimed credit for bringing federal investments to the riding — even when she voted against the very legislation that enabled those investments. This report outlines three clear examples of contradictions between her public statements and her voting record in Parliament.

1. Oversized Load Corridor: praised at home, opposed in Parliament

In August 2019, the federal government announced $6 million in funding for Sarnia’s Oversized Load Corridor, a permanent route for transporting large industrial equipment to the harbour. The project boosts exports and supports local fabrication jobs.

At the announcement event, Marilyn Gladu praised the investment and credited her long-standing advocacy, saying she had been pushing for this since working at WorleyParsons in 2011 — before she became MP.

But the source of this funding was the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF), created by the 2017 federal budget, which allocated $1.9 billion to support trade infrastructure. Gladu voted against that budget, along with the rest of the Conservative caucus. Her “No” vote helped oppose the very funding source she later celebrated.

The contradiction: Gladu took credit for delivering federal dollars she tried to block. Without Budget 2017, the Trade Corridors Fund wouldn’t have existed — and Sarnia wouldn’t have received the $6 million.

2. COVID-era economic recovery funding: celebrated locally, rejected federally

In early 2021, OWS Rail Car in Sarnia received $832,000 to expand its railcar repair operations — part of a $6.5 million FedDev Ontario investment to support regional economic recovery. Around the same time, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada received $2 million to launch a PPE recycling pilot project.

Gladu, then the Conservative shadow minister for FedDev Ontario, publicly welcomed these investments, calling them “huge for our region” and touting their job-creating potential.

However, when the Liberal government tabled Budget 2021 — which expanded FedDev funding and pandemic support — Gladu voted against it. The budget passed 211–121. Gladu’s vote was “Nay.”

The contradiction: Gladu promoted the benefits of federal grants that her vote tried to prevent. The money she called “huge” relied on funding she opposed in Parliament.

3. Healthcare and dental care: applauded in a press release, rejected in a vote

When the Liberal government tabled Budget 2022, it included a major investment in healthcare, mental health supports, and a new dental care program for low-income Canadians.

In her own press release responding to Budget 2022, Gladu said she was “happy to see funding delivered… to bolster health care capacity”, and described the dental program as “help for those who need it most.”

Yet when the time came to vote on the budget implementation bill (Bill C-19), Gladu voted against it. Her “No” vote was cast on June 9, 2022.

The contradiction: Gladu applauded the budget’s health investments for Sarnia–Lambton — then voted against them.

A pattern of contradictions

These examples show a consistent pattern. In Ottawa, Marilyn Gladu opposes federal budgets and funding plans. Back home, she claims credit for the local investments those same budgets make possible. Whether it’s infrastructure, economic development, or healthcare, she positions herself as a champion of federal spending in Sarnia–Lambton — even when her voting record says otherwise.