This campaign is my fifth election campaign. Yes, I ran three times for City Council and then – when I was convinced I was never going to do it again – I ran a fourth time. My fourth run was for Regional Council, and the decision to run came after Regional Council spent four solid years (2014-2018) engaging in what I’ll just call extremely problematic behaviour and decision-making. (Also my father-in-law had been telling me for years that I should run for Regional, rather than City, Council).

Continue reading “Integrity and Transparency” →

In 2021, the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis presented to Regional Council that resolving Niagara’s affordable housing crisis would cost $60 billion. For contrast, the Region’s overall operational budget is approximately $1.1 billion.

Whilst it’s imperative that we continue to find ways to increase our stock of affordable housing in Niagara – and this past term of Council did make some headway – we cannot solve this problem alone.

Continue reading “Affordable Housing” →

When I campaigned in 2018, I promised to work on a Niagara-specific Poverty Reduction Strategy.

The idea of developing a poverty reduction strategy for Niagara was not, initially, well-received, so I focused on issues around the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, investing in affordable housing projects, advocating for Niagara’s fair share of Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative funding, and the Niagara Prosperity Initiative grant program.

Continue reading “Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy” →

One of the biggest challenges facing our community is, without a doubt, the opioid and tainted drug supply crisis.

Later today, Positive Living Niagara, OPIRG Brock, Silver Spire United Church, and Willow Arts Community are holding a rally at City Hall and Community March from City Hall to Silver Spire.

Continue reading “International Overdose Awareness Day” →

Today’s the day you’ll begin to see lawn signs for the municipal election dotting the landscape.

For this election, I have made the decision to not use election lawn signs.

Continue reading “You won’t see Laura Ip election lawn signs this year” →