The Strength of Community at the Heart of the Holidays by Elgin—St. Thomas—London South MP Andrew Lawton One thing I love to brag about to my colleagues across the country is the incredible sense of community we have here in St. Thomas, Elgin, and Lambeth. Since becoming your Member of Parliament earlier this year, I’ve loved seeing that spirit in action everywhere I go. Whether it’s young people shovelling driveways for neighbours who can’t, residents rallying to support local small businesses, or donors filling the shelves of our food bank to meet record demand, we look out for one another here. That’s what makes this place so special. This spirit of giving takes on even greater meaning as we head into the Christmas season. For many, this is a joyful and busy time filled with family and celebration. But for others, the holidays can bring loneliness or the ache of an empty chair at the table. The rising cost of food, fuel, and housing has made it harder for some families to make ends meet. These challenges are real — and they remind us why community matters so deeply. I’ve made it a personal goal to meet with as many people as I can in my role. This has meant getting to as many local events as possible — no small feat in a riding as large and vibrant as ours. From the Rosy Rhubarb Festival in Shedden and Straffordville’s Watermelon Festival to the Nostalgia Nights Classic Car Show in St. Thomas and Harvestfest in Lambeth, there’s always something happening. None of these events would exist without the dedicated volunteers who make them possible. I deeply admire those who so generously give their time and energy to bring people together and strengthen our community. Across our region, people continue to step up to help. From volunteers preparing food hampers and serving holiday meals, to service clubs organizing toy drives and winter coat collections, to neighbours checking in on one another — these acts of kindness define who we are. Even in challenging times, generosity and compassion continue to shine brightly. As we close out the year, I want to share a brief update on some of the work I’ve been doing on your behalf. Crime Crime remains a significant local issue, with a relatively small number of repeat offenders responsible for the majority of police calls. I’ve had numerous meetings with police leadership and front-line officers about the problems with federal bail laws that have made it easier for people who belong behind bars to get out on the street. I have been working closely on this issue as a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which undertook a large bail study this fall. I invited St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp to testify to ensure our local perspective would be heard, and I have also spoken extensively with Aylmer Police Chief Kyle Johnstone and London Police Chief Thai Truong. My colleagues and I have proposed some solutions gleaned from consultations with municipal leaders and law enforcement, and we hope to implement them as soon as possible.
Affordability The cost of living remains one of the most pressing issues for people in our community and across the country. Anyone who goes into a grocery store knows how bad inflation has gotten. I have been calling on the government to scrap the hidden taxes that drive up the cost of food – including the industrial carbon tax and costly fuel standards that hit farmers hard, as well as the excessive federal regulations on food packaging. CN My office has been working on issues with CN infrastructure in St. Thomas since the summer, starting with the repair work done at the First Avenue crossing. The City of St. Thomas, CN, and I have had several meetings and calls about three main areas: the need for track upgrades at First Avenue, the need for an upgrade to the Barwick Street bridge, and the reconnection of the Port Stanley-London rail line. This work remains ongoing, but the City of St. Thomas and I have been glad to see acknowledgement from CN of its obligations. We will continue to press for firm timelines and, more importantly, results. It is a true honour to represent you and bring your voice to Ottawa. I look forward to continuing this work in 2026. My office remains available to help you with any issues you might be having with the federal government. I also welcome the opportunity to meet one-on-one, whether you have a question or suggestion about federal policy, or simply want to say hello. I hope this holiday season is safe, blessed, and enjoyable. From my family to yours, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I look forward to seeing you in the community in the year ahead!
Page 14 Lambeth Villager • December 2025
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