When campaigning for election, it’s important (to me, at least) to keep people’s expectations realistic. As (hopefully) one member of a 32-member Council, candidates shouldn’t be making promises about things they will do. Candidates can’t promise anything (save for how they will do the work they’re elected to do).
In every campaign, I’ve been careful to make clear that I am committed to work on specific things. I can’t promise that I’ll be successful, given I would have to have a majority of Council agree with me, but I can commit to doing the work to get something in front of Council and hope that a majority of them see the value in the issue.
In 2018, I committed to some very specific things. Some were successful when they first came to Council. Some were successful after significant work (returning to several meetings, accompanied by reports from staff, etc.). One was not at all successful (even after coming to several meetings).
Here is a short video (with music by Thoughts Before Prayers) about the commitments I made and kept during the 2018-2022 term of Council.
Other things that I accomplished this term of Council (that I didn’t campaign on) are:
- implementation of a lobbyist registry
- installation of a temporary memorial for those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic
- having racism, homophobia, transphobia, and all other forms of stigma and oppression declared Public Health issues
- calling on the province to provide tangible supports and appropriate funding to help Niagara deal with the opioid crisis
- and more that you can read about here.
I take very seriously that people elected me – and will hopefully re-elect me – to follow through on the commitments I made in my platform.
Every candidate-turned-councillor should.
Laura Ip - Regional Councillor 