Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, is set to visit Sarnia March 21.

Kevin Shaw, the party’s candidate in Sarnia-Lambton, said the visit will come the day after Schreiner launches the party’s platform heading into the June 7 provincial election.

“He’s going to be doing a tour of southwestern Ontario and most of the province in the days following,” Shaw said.

While in Sarnia, Schreiner is scheduled to tour Bio-Industrial Innovation Canada at the research park in the afternoon and attend a Chamber of Commerce Business After Five event at the Smoke and Spice restaurant on Exmouth Street, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Shaw, a high school teacher who was nominated in the fall, said he has been seeing signs of interest locally in alternatives to the “status quo” political parties

“A lot of people are unhappy with the Liberals, and with the disruption that has been happening within the (Progressive) Conservative Party,” he said.

“Hopefully, they’re looking to see the Green Party has some really good policies in place, in terms of options for the way the province should be going, and for helping people make the changes that we need to make.”

MPP Bob Bailey has been nominated to represent the Progressive Conservatives again in Sarnia-Lambton, and city council member Andy Bruziewicz is the candidate for the Trillium Party.

Both the NDP and Liberals in Sarnia-Lambton say they are working on nominating candidates.

Kathy Alexander, executive director of the Bluewater Health Foundation, is seeking the NDP nomination.

“I’ve always had tremendous interest and excitement about politics,” Alexander said.

Before going to work for the foundation nearly seven years ago, Alexander was executive director of Big Sisters in Sarnia-Lambton.

She came to Sarnia, where her husband is from, 14 years ago and said she often hears from residents of the community about the need for change.

“I’m really hoping and excited to be that voice that can bring change to Queen’s Park on behalf of Sarnia-Lambton.”

James Anger, president of the NDP provincial association in the riding, said it is waiting for approval from the party’s head office for a nomination meeting date.

He added other potential candidates are currently considering seeking the nomination.

“We feel very confident this is going to be a good election for us,” Anger said.

“We’ve had our search committee out looking,” and have approached “several” potential candidates, said Anne Marie Gillis, with the Liberal association in the riding.

“We’re hopeful we’ll have something by the end of the month.”

Gillis, a city councillor, was the party’s candidate in 2014 but said she’s not seeking the nomination.

“I think it’s time to look for newer, younger, fresher ideas,” she said.

In recent days, Sarnia-Lambton has been visited by three of the four candidates for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party.

The winner of the contest to replace former leader Patrick Brown is scheduled to be announced this weekend.

pmorden@postmedia.com