Laura in the News

May 12, 2023: St. Catharines homeless encampment dismantled for disc golf event

May 10, 2023: Niagara Region weighs diverse opinions on diversity, equity and inclusion committee

April 27, 2023: Niagara police almost at full force, despite recruitment challenges

April 27, 2023: Niagara Region appoints permanent medical officer of health

April 25, 2023: Niagara police welcome provincial plan to enhance recruitment efforts

April 4, 2023: Homeless people are not being evicted from hotels to make room for refugees, despite claims by Niagara Falls mayor: Jugley

April 1, 2023: Trans Joy felt in downtown St. Catharines

March 24, 2023: Niagara region council votes to have taxpayers reimburse Gale for legal expenses

March 9, 2023: The Drive with Steph Vivier – Regional Councillor Laura Ip
Discussing a misogynistic and transphobic remark that was made by a fellow Councillor on International Women’s Day

March 9, 2023: Regional Councillor apologizes for saying “I identify as a woman” on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2023: ‘I identify as a woman’: Male Niagara Region councillor apologizes for comments on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2023: Niagara calls for commitment from province to end homelessness

March 7, 2023: Plan being developed to help 66,000 Niagara residents who are living on poverty

March 6, 2023: Niagara Region committee to consider asking province to commit to elimination of homelessness

February 28, 2023: ‘Carding’ rarely used by Niagara police, according to report

February 26, 2023: Niagara state of emergency declared for homelessness, mental health, opioid addiction

February 26, 2023: For first time women are the majority on Niagara police board

February 24, 2023: More women than men sitting on Niagara Police Services Board for the first time ever

February 22, 2023: Shared services gaining ground in Niagara

February 16, 2023: Survey says vaccine status isn’t a form of discrimination

February 16, 2023: CKTB AM ROUNDTABLE – FEBRUARY 16TH, 2023 – discussing the declaration of a state of emergency on homelessness, mental health, and addictions; driving; OPP technology, etc.

February 15, 2023: Provincial homelessness funding remains frozen, despite increasing costs

February 14, 2023: Niagara committee supports emergency declarations for mental health, addictions and homelessness

January 13, 2023: Niagara’s ambulance offload crisis requires provincial action

January 10, 2023: ‘If this keeps up people will die’: Niagara EMS concerns falling on deaf ears at Queen’s Park

January 10, 2023: Chiocchio, Morocco to head Niagara Region’s public health, social services committee

December 5, 2022: Gale loses bid to continue with Niagara’s police services board

November 28, 2022: Heit chosen to fill St. Catharines vacancy on regional council

November 25, 2022: With Bradley as chair, Heit ready to rejoin regional council

November 17, 2022: St. Catharines regional councillor calls Province imposing in Niagara politics ‘massive overreach’

November 8, 2022: Will anyone challenge Jim Bradley for Niagara Regional Chair?

November 7, 2022: The Monday Drive with Karl Dockstader – Laura Ip, Niagara Regional Councillor

November 5, 2022: ‘Massive failure’: Niagarans dying decades into war on drugs

November 2, 2022: Who will be Niagara’s next regional chair?

October 25, 2022: New councillors, and political veterans, win regional council seats

October 24, 2022: Siscoe wins in St. Catharines, Diodati in Niagara Falls and Campion in Welland

October 22, 2022: Fear and loathing on the campaign trail in Niagara

October 19, 2022: Incumbents have advantage — but not always — in St. Catharines race for regional council

September 24, 2022: Councillor raises eyebrows after missing diversity equity and inclusion plan vote

September 17, 2022: Niagara’s Summer Games officials still mum on dispute with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

September 16, 2022: Success of Niagara Region inclusion, diversity and equity action plan will be determined by commitment, says delegation

August 27, 2022: Meet Laura Ip, Regional Council candidate for St. Catharines

August 10, 2022: Presentation sheds little light on dispute between Indigenous nation, Canada Summer Games

July 14, 2022: St. Catharines regional councillor refuses Summer Games VIP passes

June 14, 2022: Opioid overdoses have created ‘dire’ situation; Niagara public health supports call for action

May 30, 2022: Memorial bench recognizes Niagarans lost to COVID-19

May 24, 2022: Regional Council Notebook: Lobbyist registry intended to bring transparency to process

March 25, 2022: Let Niagara voters choose the regional chair

March 22, 2022: Direct election of regional chair won’t happen this year

March 10, 2022: Increased harassment of Niagara’s elected officials and staff prompts call for action

February 18, 2022: Hirji ‘hammered’ by councillors, frustrated by lack of oversight

February 18, 2022: Council docks Bylsma’s pay, duties; emotional mayor cites debunked theory for opposing COVID vaccine

February 10, 2022: Committee unanimously endorses motion condemning intimidation of public servants

February 3, 2022: Donations to fix St. Catharines councillor’s window will be refunded to donors

February 3, 2022: St. Catharines councillor returns GoFundMe donations for smashed window repairs

February 3, 2022: Donations to repair St. Catharines Councillor’s smashed window are being returned

January 31, 2022: Fallout continues after councillor’s window smashed with large rock

January 30, 2022: Councillor’s home targeted again, this time with rock thrown through her window

January 30, 2022: Community rallies around St. Catharines councillor who had rock thrown through window

January 26, 2022: Niagara Region’s code of conduct getting a tune-up

January 21, 2022: Regional council backs Hirji over dispute with province

January 12, 2022: Fact-checked delegate says regional councillor was trying to make her ‘look stupid’

January 7, 2022: Regional council gives Siscoe the nod to fill seat left vacant by death of Sandie Bellows

December 30, 2021: CKTB PM Roundtable with Karl Dockstader – Holly Mundula & Laura Ip

December 13, 2021: Toxic remarks force Niagara infectious diseases doctor to remove himself from Twitter

November 26, 2021: Green light for Niagara Region lobbyist registry — provided it survives the budget process

November 19, 2021: Bylsma investigations have cost taxpayers $32,000 — and bill could rise still

November 17, 2021: Letter campaign targets Hirji over COVID; mayor calls accusations more ‘disinformation’

November 17, 2021: Bylsma slammed by political colleagues for ‘purebloods’ post

November 15, 2021: St. Catharines Regional Councillor Laura Ip on the Region’s Diversity Survey

October 22, 2021: Niagara council docks Ontario mayor’s pay for asking woman if COVID-19 shot affected her period

October 22, 2021: Council docks Bylsma one week’s pay over menstruation email to woman

October 20, 2021: Niagara council members to decide if West Lincoln mayor should be docked pay because of an inappropriate question

October 20, 2021: ‘Alarmingly invasive:’ This Ontario mayor may have his pay docked after asking a woman online if her COVD-19 vaccine changed her menstruation

August 27, 2021: Regional council votes for mandatory staff, and councillor, vaccinations

August 24, 2021: Support needed for Niagara’s back-to-school programs
There’s a second piece in this editorial that relates to me (“IT WAS SURPRISING TO LEARN…”)

August 23, 2021: Integrity commissioner dismisses complaints against Gale

July 23, 2021: West Lincoln mayor fires back at critics during regional council meeting

July 15, 2021: Memorial for Niagara’s COVID Victims Should be Embraced by Region Councillors

July 14, 2021: St. Catharines Regional Councillor Laura Ip, re: Mourning those lost to COVID-19 in the Region

July 14, 2021: Region looking into memorial for pandemic victims

July 2, 2021: Roundtable – Laura Ip, Khadija Hammuda, and Jacob Bergsma

May 19, 2021: Niagara chair speaks out against “inappropriate comments” by West Lincoln mayor

May 19, 2021: Apology demanded of Bylsma for menstruation remark to St. Catharines woman

March 31, 2021: Diodati, Bylsma go ahead with appearances on controversial Fannon podcast

March 19, 2021: Three Niagara male political leaders who are embarrassments to all

March 18, 2021: Mayors’ planned appearances on controversial Fannon podcast raise eyebrows

March 16, 2021: Some in Niagara seem to have a problem with smart, outspoken women

March 16, 2021: St. Catharines Regional Councillor Laura Ip, re: Harassment Issue

March 16, 2021: St. Catharines Regional Councillor wants online abuse to end, saying she’s afraid and fed up

March 15, 2021: Harassment of women in politics hitting new lows: Ip

March 15, 2021: Sam Oosterhoff to headline pro-life event

March 9, 2021: Deep dive into Niagara Prosperity Initiative complete

February 23, 2021: Lobbyist registry slowly taking shape at Niagara Region headquarters

February 19, 2021: Vitriolic attacks on officials a danger sign

February 17, 2021: Niagara Region committee calls for paid sick day legislation

February 16, 2021: Hatred toward Hirji: ‘There’s absolutely no excuse for it’

February 13, 2021: Trudeau, Ford condemn threats against Niagara’s medical officer of health

January 22, 2021: Regional council reprimands West Lincoln mayor over racially insensitive remarks

January 19, 2021: Regional Councillor Laura Ip re: WLMH Funding and Anti-Harassment Measures

January 15, 2021: Niagara Region committee recommends $12.6-million for new hospital in West Niagara

January 5, 2021: 2021, Niagara the Year Ahead

January 4, 2021: Talkin’ Fight | Boxing News Network

December 18, 2020: Regional council OKs staff study of lobby registry

December 15, 2020: Regional Councillor Laura Ip re: Lobbyist Registry

December 14, 2020: Lobbyist registry would document contact with Niagara Region politicians, staff

November 19, 2020: Laura Ip, St. Catharines Regional Councillor on last night and preview of tonight’s Regional Council meeting

November 18, 2020: Special Regional Council Meeting on Restaurant Restrictions

October 23, 2020: Niagara regional council asks feds to study decriminalization of drug possession

October 21, 2020: Overcoming Barriers to Political Involvement with Diana Huson, Laura Ip, and Lori Littleton (Niagara Leadership Summit for Women)

October 14, 2020: Niagara Falls again defers decision on police chiefs’ call to decriminalize drugs

October 14, 2020: Decriminalization of drugs discussion at [public health] committee

October 13, 2020: Regional councillor identity stolen, used to support anti-lockdown petition she rejects

October 12, 2020: Rigby to call for evidence on masks to fight COVID-19

September 19, 2020: Life Unscripted – Episode 29 – an interview during suicide prevention month

September 18, 2020: Region’s debate on decriminalizing all drugs to continue at committee level

September 18, 2020: Niagara’s Female Leaders Series – Clare Cameron (NOTL) and Laura Ip (St. Catharines)

September 18, 2020: Niagara Regional Council refers motion on decriminalizing drug possession to Public Health Committee

September 16, 2020: Motion before Niagara council pushes for decriminalization of drug possession

September 15, 2020: Hundreds voice support for Niagara mask bylaw ahead of extension debate

September 15, 2020: Decriminalization of drug possession motion coming before regional council

September 14, 2020: Extending Niagara Region’s mask by-law

September 14, 2020: Niagara Regional Council to consider mandatory mask by-law extension this week

September 8, 2020: Kids head back to class after 179-day hiatus brought about by pandemic

August 28, 2020: Legitimate criticism is OK, sexism and vitriol are not

August 27, 2020: Niagara Falls mayor says his social media accounts will not stand for ‘hurtful and harmful’ comments

August 27, 2020: Niagara women talk about experiences in public office where misogyny has reared its ugly head

August 27, 2020: #HerSay: Niagara women talk about their experiences in public office

August 14, 2020: Region gives go-ahead to MADD drinking-driving signs amid policy review

August 7, 2020: Niagara Falls council to hear about racism, ways community can become more inclusive

August 2, 2020: Parental Guidance – Episode 32 – being role models and raising girls

July 26, 2020: One Dish, One Mic with Patty Krawec about policing in Niagara and racism/homophobia & Regional Council

July 26, 2020: Laura Ip – Regional Council re: Special Council meeting about policing

July 24, 2020: Regional integrity commissioner to investigate Bylsma’s statements about LGBTQ, Indigenous communities

July 24, 2020: West Lincoln mayor comments on LGBTQ, Pride-flag goes to integrity commissioner

July 22, 2020: Stage 3 – Underdogs Boxing Club

July 16, 2020: The Source: Laura Ip: Basic Income Study

July 15, 2020: Call to form citizens’ committee on governance soundly defeated by Region committee that wants to focus on electing chair

July 15, 2020: Matt talks to Councillor Ip about the region looking at a universal basic income pilot project

July 14, 2020: Committee calls for basic income guarantee pilot for Niagara

July 13, 2020: Niagara Regional Councillors to Consider Motion on Basic Income for Working People

July 12, 2020: Region to be asked to lobby for basic income guarantee
Generally, the list of stories on this page includes stories in which my name is used. There is no mention of this report being a direct result of a motion I brought to a June meeting of the Public Health and Social Services Committee. The background can be found on this page.

July 9, 2020: Lincoln Regional Councillor Rob Foster [but it’s here, because they mention me a few times]

July 9, 2020: Mandatory Mask Wearing in Public Places: Special Regional Meeting Results in No Decision for Now

July 6, 2020: Regional Councillor Laura Ip – Regarding Mandatory Masks

July 1, 2020: Mayor hopes racism directed at Wainfleet family is isolated

June 26, 2020: Regional councillors take a new stand against transphobia, homophobia, and racism as a public health crisis

June 12, 2020: Bylsma’s on-air comments panned by LGBTQ , Indigenous leaders

June 12, 2020: Staff getting ready for ‘new normal’ at Niagara Region headquarters

June 5, 2020: Regional council votes to assume control of construction of Canada Games Park

May 22, 2020: Niagara letters to the editor: Our readers write about need for local governance reform, family days and misogynism

May 20, 2020: Editorial: Intriguing COVID-19 lab idea but details lacking

May 18, 2020: Inside the politics of COVID-19 at Niagara Region

May 12, 2020: Niagara Region committee supports COVID-19 lab plan short on details

May 7, 2020: Niagara letters to the editor: Our readers write about Jim Fannon’s podcast attack on St. Catharines regional Coun. Laura Ip

May 5, 2020: Niagara Women in Politics condemns attack on Ip

May 3, 2020: One Dish, One Mic – Episode 44

May 2, 2020: Bradley calls podcaster’s attack on councillor ‘offensive, repugnant’: Regional chair, others support Laura Ip for ‘taking the high road’

May 1, 2020: Niagara Region’s Chair Jim Bradley and Council Denounce “Repugnant Comments” Aimed At St. Catharines Regional Councillor Laura Ip

May 1, 2020: Niagara Chair stands up for Councillor called ‘pig’ and slammed for sharing abortion story

May 1, 2020:

April 30, 2020: Niagara Region councillor taken aback by ‘hurtful’ online attack

April 24, 2020: Region to proceed with removal of four-way stop at Glendale Ave. and Bessey St.

March 25, 2020: COVID-19 | Niagara campaign to raise funds during pandemic

March 25, 2020: Niagara’s Crush the Curve COVID-19 campaign tone-deaf, say critics

March 9, 2020: Gale presses for probe on regional council leaks: This follows meeting Niagara Falls councillor had with defendant named in Region lawsuit

March 4, 2020: Roundtable Round 2 – Laura Ip and Chris Lowes

March 3, 2020: Leaks to media not regional council’s biggest worry: Ip
St. Catharines councillor latest to weigh in on debate about news reports of confidential meetings

March 2, 2020: Women’s History Month
(I thought we were going to be speaking more generally about Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Instead, we spoke very specifically about the hatred that is delivered upon women in politics.)

February 25, 2020: Editorial: Let voters decide who’s the next Niagara Region chair

February 21, 2020: Council pumps the brakes on motion to elect the Regional chair

February 18, 2020: Debate on directly elected Niagara Region chair may return to table: Laura Ip to introduce motion at Thursday’s council meeting

February 18, 2020: Electing a Regional Chair Motion Coming Forward at Next Council Meeting

February 18, 2020: Niagara Regional Council to Consider Direct Election of Regional Chair

February 3, 2020: 4pm on Feb 3rd on CKTB – talking about xenophobia, coronavirus, Thundering Waters development
(start at approximately 13:30)

December 10, 2019: Reversal of funding cut welcome news for legal aid clinic

Pleased that this motion may have played a part in the decision:
October 17, 2019 ~~ Council Meeting
14. MOTIONS
14.1 Proposed Provincial Cuts to Legal Aid Ontario Budget
Moved by Councillor Ip
Seconded by Councillor Redekop
WHEREAS the Niagara Community Legal Clinic is a not-for-profit agency providing access to justice and vital service to low-income Niagara citizens in civil law matters, including landlord-tenant disputes, Ontario Disability Support Payment (ODSP) appeals, pension appeals, workplace injury/WSIB compensation, consumer law protection, refugee assistance, migrant worker support, human rights law, power of attorney matters, and wills and estates for low-income seniors;
WHEREAS the Niagara Community Legal Clinic is funded by Legal Aid Ontario, an arm’s-length agency of the Ministry of the Attorney General for Ontario, which (in addition to funding the province’s legal clinics) provides much-needed support to low-income people in matters of family law, refugee law, and criminal law;
WHEREAS the two historic Niagara legal clinics – Justice Niagara, founded in 1978, and Niagara North Community Legal Assistance, founded in 1982 – merged on January 1, 2019, to form the Niagara Community Legal Clinic;
WHEREAS Legal Aid funding saves money in the overall justice system budget, in light of the evidence that the cases of self-represented parties (i.e., parties without Legal Aid support) consume significantly greater amounts of expensive court time and/or tribunal time; and
WHEREAS the Province cut approximately $70 million from the Legal Aid Ontario budget in 2019, with approximately $14.5 million of that being cut from the legal clinic system, and has indicated an intention to cut an additional $17.3 million from the LAO budget in 2020:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That Regional Chair Jim Bradley BE DIRECTED to send a letter to Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey, on behalf of Regional Council, reading as follows:
“The Region of Niagara is grateful for the work of the Niagara Community Legal Clinic, whose professionals provide meaningful access to justice for low-income people in Niagara. In light of the deep challenges Niagara faces in terms of poverty and lack of sufficient affordable housing, the services that the Niagara Community Legal Clinic provides are truly vital to our community.
It has come to our attention that the Province has proposed additional cuts to the budget of Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), the Niagara clinic’s funder, to be implemented in 2020. Because our Council deeply values the work of our
Niagara Community Legal Clinic, and the supports that LAO provides to citizens facing challenges in family law, criminal law, and refugee law, we request that you not implement any additional cuts to the LAO budget. We also ask that you re-invest in the Legal Aid and clinic systems, so as to address the many barriers to access to justice that our citizens face.
Thank you for your consideration.”
2. That this motion and the Chair’s letter BE CIRCULATED to municipalities throughout Ontario and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

December 9, 2019: Time to step forward for Niagara’s women’s advisory committee

December 6, 2019: A Shining Example of a Niagara Regional Council Standing Up for the Greater Good

December 5, 2019: Region approves 5.85% tax hike: Councillors, staff struggle to contain costs while facing increasing demands

December 1, 2019: Niagara residents are looking for justice and closure

December 1, 2019: Interview with Matt Holmes Re: Ombudsman’s Report

November 29, 2019: ‘Reliving a bad nightmare’

St. Catharines Coun. Laura Ip said the public looks to council to do more than just accept the recommendations, which she said are standard human resource practices in many cases.
She said councillors must determine how far they want to go with the report, including looking into possible punitive measures.
“I don’t know what else we can do, that’s a conversation that we’ll have to have with a number of experts. But I think the public is going to be looking for us to do more than just say ‘Good job Ombudsman’ and we’ll do all this,” she said.

November 18, 2019: Misogyny in Council

November 17, 2019: Misogynistic remarks a ‘teachable moment’ for regional council

November 16, 2019: Indigenous rights conference at Brock

November 15, 2019: Men to be allowed on Niagara Region’s women’s advisory committee: Advocacy for gender-based issues gets green light from council

November 11, 2019: You Are Invited to a Public Forum on Racism, Discrimination and Oppression in our Niagara region

November 6, 2019: Committee recommends new method for council pay increases

November 5, 2019: Three decades since Morgentaler, stigma still restricts access to abortion

October 26, 2019: Speaking with 610CKTB’s Matt Holmes about the province’s decision re: governance review

October 21, 2019: Niagara supports fight for legal clinic funding

October 15, 2019: Cuts will hurt people relying on legal aid: Niagara Community Legal Clinic

October 9, 2019: Niagara development charges complaints to be topic of special meetings

October 8, 2019: Niagara must be ‘disruptive’ to advance affordable housing

September 20, 2019: Niagara region joins anti-racism coalition

September 20, 2019: Region joins inclusive municipalities coalition

August 26, 2019: Six Canadian moms share the stories of their abortions: It may surprise you to learn that many of the women who choose to have abortions in Canada—perhaps the majority—are mothers.

July 11, 2019: ‘She was a fierce and passionate advocate’: Niagara mourns the loss of Renee Martin: Niagara mourns the loss of a powerful activist, loving mother and friend

July 2, 2019: Young mothers of Niagara accept diplomas thanks to LEAP

June 25, 2019: 610CKTB Noon30 with Tom McConnell. Tom and Laura discuss the increase to Councillor remuneration

June 21, 2019: Update: Council votes yes on tax compensation, defers decision on raise: Extra money makes up for loss of tax-free status on one-third of salary

June 20, 2019: Regional council being bullied out of pay raise: Villella: Councillors set to debate 20% raise in their own salaries tonight

June 18, 2019: Pay hike another unforced error for Niagara Region council

June 13, 2019: Regional Council to discuss giving themselves a raise

June 12, 2019: Niagara’s regional councillor pay could spike by more than 20%

May 23, 2019: Hamilton protests public health merger, but the province doesn’t have to listen

May 18: 2019: Handmaid protesters confront MPP Sam Oosterhoff over reproductive rights
*Note: I was neither present at nor an organizer of this event. As my name is mentioned in the article, because of my involvement with the issue on Twitter, I’m posting it here.

May 18, 2019: Handmaids voice outrage at Oosterhoff event in Grimsby: Protest sparked by MPP’s comments at anti-abortion rally
*Note: I was neither present at nor an organizer of this event. As my name is mentioned in the article, because of my involvement with the issue on Twitter, I’m posting it here.

May 12, 2019: Respect, integrity among regional council’s priorities: Regional politicians hold strategic planning session on weekend

May 10, 2019: St. Catharines regional councillor shares ‘unthinkable abortion’ story: Laura Ip tweets her story in response to MPP Sam Oosterhoff’s anti-abortion comments

May 10, 2019: My Unthinkable Abortion: St. Catharines Reg. Councillor Goes Public and Sends Letter to Oosterhoff

May 9, 2019: (De)constructing Barriers

May 7, 2019: Editorial: Niagara Folk Arts Festival a much-needed celebration of diversity

May 7, 2019: Anti-racism discussion to be part of Niagara Region’s strategic plan process

May 6, 2019: Niagara committee to debate anti-racism coalition membership

May 1, 2019: Shocking femicide stats worry Gillian’s Place

April 26, 2019: Niagara Region council decides to build Burgoyne Bridge barriers: Authorizes spending $4-million to end suicide contagion on downtown bridge

April 23, 2019: Bridge barrier at the centre of discussion about mental health in Niagara Region

April 16, 2019: Public works committee votes for Burgoyne Bridge barriers: Measures will keep people from harming themselves

April 11, 2019: Regional council divided on Burgoyne Bridge barriers: Council set to debate installation of safety measures at Burgoyne span

March 4, 2019: NPCA ‘SWAT team’ will continue until June: Region extends interim board appointments for three months

February 28, 2019: Regional council reverses decision on pay cut while approving budget

February 18, 2019: Region’s 6% tax hike deferred

February 15, 2019: Region defers budgets for both police and NPCA

However, councillors voted 13-11 against a second amendment, introduced by Ip, stating that “any approvals related to the NPCA levy not be given and no payments be made to the NPCA until such time as we have received answers we consider to be satisfactory.”
“I’m disappointed that, that failed,” Ip said in an interview following the meeting.
“My intent was not to suggest that we fight the NPCA until we receive answers to our very reasonable questions. You bring an $8-million budget forward and there’s a $2.5-million hole in your presentation, I kind of want to know what’s going on with that $2.5 million.”
“I’m disappointed that so many of them (regional councillors) that are on the board voted that motion down because it has not been demonstrated by NPCA staff that they’re going to give the answers,” she added.

February 1, 2019: Region defers NPCA funding: Councillors want more details on NPCA budget before paying the bill

January 31, 2019: Councillor to press NPCA on budget “hole”

January 9, 2019: Region to review expense policy, code of conduct

January 9, 2019: Niagara overdose prevention site saving lives

November 13, 2018: Editorial: Next regional chair must be an elected politician

November 5, 2018: New regional councillors mulling over next chair

November 1, 2018: Niagara regional council is 75% new – and the public is watching

October 26, 2018: Niagara’s controversial CAO is set to jet off to Shanghai in the name of trade (video)

October 23, 2018: Region sheds ‘toxic environment’

October 23, 2018: Vote brings sweeping change to regional council

October 19, 2018: Meet the candidates for St. Catharines regional council

October 15, 2018: Meet the St. Catharines Region candidates

October 12, 2018: Integrity topic issue at Niagara Region council

June 28, 2018: Sweet partnership with Beechwood Doughnuts pays off for YWCA Niagara

May 12, 2018: Punching Above My Weight: An Interview with Laura Ip

May 10, 2018: No candidates yet for regional chair

April 4, 2018: Letters

April 1, 2018: We can fix municipal government by voting

March 7, 2018: Project aims to empower youth mentally, physically and emotionally Underdogs Boxing Club coaches Laura Hughes (left) and Laura Ip are gearing up to launch The Empowerment Project, a workshop series for 12- to 17-year-old girls and non-binary youth that explores emotional as well as physical empowerment. – Melinda Cheevers/Metroland
March 1, 2018: Rooting for the Underdog Underdogs Boxing Club is shaking up the image of who can be a boxer. – Kerry Duncan/The Sound

January 16, 2018: Niagara Women March On this Saturday

December 1, 2018: Civil debate seems to have been lost

October 27, 2017: Grade 10 students from across Niagara celebrate Power of Being a Girl

October 11, 2017: Boxing to heal
October 6, 2017: New boxing program aims to empower women in Niagara who’ve experienced violence Founder and president of Underdogs Boxing Club Laura Ip has teamed up with YWCA Niagara to bring the Shape Your Life program to St. Catharines. – Melinda Cheevers/Metroland

September 11, 2017: Shape Your Life program coming to St. Catharines – Laura Ip explains

September 10, 2017: Boxing fitness program for victims of violence

September 1, 2017: Shape Your Life boxing program for women who’ve experienced violence launches in St. Catharines Laura Ip is launching a second version of Shape Your Life boxing program at her new gym, Underdogs Boxing Club, in St. Catharines, Ont., in October. (Laura Ip)

August 26, 2017: Not first choice for self defence

June 2, 2017: Body-shaming a problem that begins at birth

April 19, 2017: Quick Update: Falling through the cracks

April 17, 2017: UPDATE 2: Falling through the cracks

April 15, 2017: UPDATE: Falling through the cracks

April 14, 2017: Falling through the cracks

March 24, 2017: Niagara podcasters holding ‘Local Media Matters’ fundraiser Laura Ip and Ruth Unrau will host The Practical Feminist live at Mahtay Cafe Saturday afternoon, one of several live shows taking place as part of the Local Media Matters fundraiser in support of the Niagara Podcasters Network. – Courtesy Photo

March 17, 2017: Gender gap must close in the workplace

January 25, 2017: EDWARDS: A spark of hope in the era of anger and division

January 21, 2017: Niagara women march in solidarity

January 18, 2017: Niagara women ready to march this Saturday Laura Ip from YWCA Niagara is ready to hit the streets downtown for the Niagara edition of the Women’s March on Washington, taking place Jan. 21. The event will start at City Hall at 10 a.m. and walkers will make their way to St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle’s office on Geneva Street. – Melinda Cheevers/Metroland

January 6, 2017: Canadian politics needs more women

November 22, 2016: We must raise the bar

November 21, 2016: “You have a right to be here”

October 19, 2016: Cheechoo hopes to inspire at annual leadership summit

October 11, 2016: It’s about celebrating, inspiring women

August 5, 2016: We’re rich…in illness and inequality

July 29, 2016: We’re all close to being homeless

July 28, 2016: Imagine what a living wage could do

June 3, 2016: Two enormous resounding yeses

May 13, 2016: There are benefits to paying a living wage

April 23, 2016: YWCA -presentation by Laura IP (sic) Resource Development Offficer (sic)

November 20, 2015: Search Engine: Highway structure for the birds

September 15, 2016: The obstacle-ridden road to recovery

March 10, 2016: Women in boxing

February 22, 2015: Chatting with former councillor Laura Ip about open data

January 9, 2015: Search Engine: The smartie pants edition

November 27, 2014: Weekend events shine spotlight on Niagara’s diversity

November 20, 2014: An emotional farewell for St. Catharines councillors

November 17, 2014: “Transformational” Mayor, Council say goodbyes

October 22, 2014: Arts group grades the candidates

September 25, 2014: On the campaign trail

September 25, 2014: Council debate between mayoral candidates turns heated

September 22, 2014: Mayoral candidates square off over budgeting

September 19, 2014: Search Engine: The mystery of the Grantham plaque

September 18, 2014: St. Catharines municipal election candidates

September 12, 2014: St. Catharines City Council seats up for grabs

September 9, 2014: Living Wage idea to be explored

July 14, 2014: Paying tribute to a community leader Denis Cahill and Patricia Cahill Waters hold up the street sign paying tribute to their father Lou Cahill. The sign will be erected in downtown St. Catharines, at a portion of Garden Park north of King Street in recognition of Lou’s contributions to the community. Thursday marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lou, who died in 2008 at the age of 94.

June 2, 2014: Councillor Laura Ip – Community Care Hungry Vegan Drive

May 19, 2014: Vegan food bank diet was difficult

May 9, 2014: HEROD: Council talk, and a little election scuttlebutt

March 18, 2014: Working to make Niagara better

February 26, 2014: Arenas’ lifespan extended

February 14, 2014: Looming decision on arenas

February 11, 2014: City to crack down on shovel fairness

January 30, 2014: Council fills the void
January 27, 2014: Laura Ip appointed to St. Catharines council Laura Ip watches St. Catharines city council debate from the council gallery. – Julie Jocsak

January 20, 2014: City still considering holding byelection

January 16, 2014: Council holds off filling vacancy

January 9, 2014: HEROD: Laura Ip isn’t shoe-in for council seat

January 9, 2014: Monday council meeting to deal with vacant seat

March 8, 2011: Academy alternatives discussed Event organizer Laura Ip watches as Kaneka Watkins, of Success Beyond Limits, outlines some of that program’s achievements during a community meeting examining alternatives to the DSBN Academy on Thursday.

October 7, 2010: Back to basics in Ward 3

September 15, 2010: Young blood vying for your vote

May 20, 2009: How to Be a Socially Just Citizen

August 11, 2009: Forced health coverage unfair

November 1, 2006: Grantham candidates speak out