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

~ Laura Ip ~ 1 Comment

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.

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

Motion – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Damaging Impacts of Hate and Intolerance

~ Laura Ip ~ Leave a comment

Over the last several years, we’ve all witnessed the escalation of hate and intolerance to which elected officials and journalists, especially if they are women, gender- and/or sexually-diverse people, racially-marginalized people, or disabled people, have been subjected. At a July meeting of the Region’s Corporate Services Committee, I ended up speaking about some of what I’ve experienced over the last five years. Councillor Redekop offered to work with me to write a motion to try to address some of what I and elected officials across the province and country have been having to deal with.

This morning, this motion passed at Corporate Services Committee (not unanimously). See below for the motion, how the votes turned out, and my comments.

Continue reading “Motion – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Damaging Impacts of Hate and Intolerance” →

Thank you, St. Catharines

~ Laura Ip ~ 2 Comments

Thank you for trusting me and having confidence in me and for demonstrating both of those things by re-electing me.

It is an interesting experience to put one’s name on a ballot and then put oneself through what is, really, a very long job interview.

For Regional Council in St. Catharines, I was the first on the ballot on May 9 (at 12:53pm, if you like precision), and I began campaigning within a few days (after setting up my campaign bank account, of course).

Continue reading “Thank you, St. Catharines” →