A $100,000 pitch to make Sarnia’s downtown more welcoming has city council support.

“We’re definitely thrilled,” said Downtown Collective co-chair Mia Clarke about council’s recent unanimous decision to use city municipal accommodation tax dollars – raised through a surcharge on short-term stays in city hotels and other lodgings – to help make the waterfront district more inviting.

Clarke and collective co-chair Brian Austin asked in Nov. 17 for the sum, to add string lights to lamp posts, put up branded banners, commission local artists to design vinyl wraps for garbage bins, electrical boxes, bike racks and planters, and add more flowers and greenery.

Council voted Nov. 25 to include their ask in the 2026 municipal budget.

The period for any potential mayoral vetoes and council overr

See Full Page