elections – Laura Ip – Regional Councillor

This is simultaneously one of the silliest arguments I’ve heard about why councillors shouldn’t be involved in this discussion and also an argument that proves my point about the necessity of community engagement/public consultation.

I’ll address, first, that it is not at all a conflict of interest for me to have an opinion on regional (or any other) governance issue. Just as I’m permitted to have an opinion and express it on the regional budget or any other matter that impacts the community at large, I am also permitted to have an opinion on regional governance, amalgamation, and/or how many elected officials there should be to serve Niagara’s communities.

But, also, as I’ve stated many times before, I’m not seeking re-election, so it’s a moot point.

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At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2026, I opened my remarks with:

I would imagine that the reason these letters weren’t shared with the directly-elected Regional Councillors until well after they were sent and still not by the Regional Chair is because the decision has already been made that the next election will not include directly-elected Regional Councillors, so why ask for their opinions at all.

It is incredible to me the disdain that some politicians have for… politicians. And, every single time I’ve seen this disdain, it has – without fail – been about those disdainful politicians wanting more power for themselves.

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Tag: elections

“Politicians will never vote themselves out of a job”

Called it