“Support for Israelis and Palestinians Living in Niagara” motion – January 25, 2024 Council meeting

Within the last 24 hours, I’ve begun to receive e-mails asking/demanding/begging that I second a motion being brought forward by one of my colleagues.

I will first note that I have not been asked by the mover of the motion to second the motion, and it is extremely rare for a Councillor to bring a motion without having a seconder lined up (or having asked someone to second the motion).

As I am wont to do, I’m going to be extremely frank.

This motion has no place at Regional Council.

Of course, in the past, I have taken some criticism for bringing motions that people think have nothing to do with the Region’s mandate, but they have. Motions about decriminalization of personal use of opioids; motions seeking more funding to assist those who are unhoused; motions about declaring intimate partner violence as epidemic, and so on are all connected to Regional business, because they are all matters we deal with directly in policing, community services, and/or public health. While we may not have the authority or resources to adequately deal with these issues directly, we can call on the federal and provincial governments to assist (while also making clear what the specific issue is in Niagara).

There is no connection to be made between this motion and anything we do at the Region.

This isn’t about whether I agree or disagree with the contents of the motion. This is about the motion itself having no place at all at Regional Council (or at the local area municipal councils either).

Regional Council has no role or influence over the country’s foreign affairs. Regional Council has no role or influence over international conflict. Any motion we contemplate has no weight or bearing on what will actually happen.

I support a just and lasting peace for Israel & Palestine. I am galled and deeply upset at the violence, loss, and devastation over the last several months.

My experience, so far, is that most people are unwilling/unable to have the appropriately nuanced discussion about Israel and Palestine without (intentionally or unintentionally) saying something deeply antisemitic, Islamophobic, or both.

Can we be sure that kind of rhetoric won’t make it into Council Chambers? We absolutely cannot. And that kind of rhetoric will absolutely be harmful to community members.

Also: Canada’s immigration minister says there isn’t a hard cap on temporary visa program for Palestinians.