During the campaign, when specifically asked about balance on Regional Council, I cited this study (released in July 2018): Exclusion or interests? Why females in elected office reduce petty and grand corruption several times. I often paraphrased and repeated the line, “where there are more women, there is less corruption.”

The statement is a sweeping generalization, to be sure. The main argument (with respect to the exclusion theory) is that the presence of women disrupts long-established networks.

Though there are only eight women on what will be a 32-member Council, I am hopeful that – with a nearly 75% turnover in regional councillors throughout Niagara – the long-established networks have been thoroughly disrupted.

Dear St. Catharines:

Thank you. Continue reading “Thank you” →

The single most important thing you can do for Niagara today is vote.

Continue reading “It’s Election Day” →

The list of candidates for Regional Council in St. Catharines is lengthy. There are 23 names on that ballot (Paul Allan has withdrawn, though).

Whilst the City of St. Catharines does list all of the candidates on their website, along with the contact information that has been provided by each candidate, there isn’t one place where one can find and compare candidates’ platforms.

Here are three places where you can read about or see most of us speaking to various issues:

Continue reading “Researching the candidates” →

And it absolutely can be.

Case in point:

Continue reading “Municipal government should be non-partisan” →