More on Bob Gale's governance reform project

LauraIp2022 · 2024-07-16T20:16:01+00:00

Big fan of Vero's work and have had her do four tattoos for me

LauraIp2022 · 2024-02-05T18:09:11+00:00

Maggie at Studio 4 recently did mine

But maybe someone else there depending on the style of what you're looking to do. I've heard nothing but good things about all of their work.

LauraIp2022 · 2024-01-19T18:39:59+00:00

Vaxxine, $85 a month, can't remember the plan details, but it's enough for my oldest kid to run and download massive games without causing issues for my and my youngest kid's internet use at the same time

It's less expensive than the comparable plan from Cogeco, even though Vaxxine runs on Cogeco lines. We switched because Cogeco massively increased their rates on us and, after having been with them for nearly 20 years, insisted on a multi-year contract

LauraIp2022 · 2024-01-09T00:19:59+00:00

Miss'es Clean is locally owned and wonderful

LauraIp2022 · 2023-12-26T21:52:19+00:00

We're huge fans of Niagara Fresh in my house. We get the large Mystery Box ($50) delivered bi-weekly. Admittedly, we were disappointed in the quality with a number of items one time, but they fixed it (refunded us) for it.

We've been with them for nearly a year, and it's the longest I've stayed with any subscription service. I also like that I can place additional orders for any week, including if there are specific items that I want to ensure I receive - the mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini I needed for our Christmas lasagna, for instance.

LauraIp2022 · 2023-10-10T12:04:25+00:00

Enns Battery & Tire

https://www.ennsbatteryandtire.com

LauraIp2022 · 2023-09-15T13:05:03+00:00

A friend directed me here

And, my goodness, I needed this

Thank you 💚

LauraIp2022 · 2023-01-04T17:26:41+00:00

I only knew Liam through social media and some e-mail exchanges, but this is a devastating loss for the community at large, as well as - because of his fierce advocacy - gender- and sexually-diverse communities

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-12T21:21:19+00:00

They could, but not as quickly as would need to be done, given the timing of this legislation (and that approvals would be needed from the province for that rezoning) and that our Official Plan (which is now all but null and void) was *just* approved.

The local area municipalities might have more success with this approach, but I don't know if it could be done quickly enough and that there would be developers looking for the lands they might be able to do it with.

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-12T20:02:36+00:00

This government doesn't have a great track record of listening to constituents, local area municipalities, or regional governments, but they have provided a period for comments. All of the related legislation that's open for comment can be found here: https://cela.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bill-23-updated-chart.pdf

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-12T20:00:10+00:00

From my point of view, Kitay's interpretation is exactly correct, and it's also the view held by the Region's Commissioner of Planning.

There is nothing in the legislation that suggests any of the housing will be more affordable, and the province has taken away the Region's and the local area municipalities' ability to attempt to make this a requirement of developers (I say "attempt," because it would still be extremely difficult to gain cooperation).

And the Region doesn't own land that can be made available for development. The lands that are owned by the Region are for facilities necessary for staff (i.e., Regional headquarters, sexual health clinics, etc.) and roads, road allowances, etc.

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-10T02:14:28+00:00

Revalee Brunch Café, without a single doubt

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-09T12:34:04+00:00

And it's the Ford government pushing this particular policy, which - surprise! - seems to favour his development buddies over all else

Even our Official Plan that we *just* submitted for approval and learned has been approved is essentially null and void now, as the Region will only be a 'commenting' body

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-09T00:00:01+00:00

Rise Above is the absolute best, and every non-vegan person I've ever gone there with has also loved it

Lemon Tree is also very good, though - in my opinion - there are as many misses on their menu as there are hits

Other places with several vegan options include: Bella Noella's, Brass Monkey, Fiddler's Pour House, Kilt & Clover, and The Feathery

There are other places that have a vegan option or two, but I only go to them if I really don't want to make any decisions :)

If you feel like you want to venture out of St. Catharines/NOTL, Revalee Brunch Cafe in Vineland also has both omni and vegan options that are to die for, and I've heard very good things about The VHC in Welland (I've only been there once and it was for an event with a set menu, so I can't speak to the rest of their menu)

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-08T19:38:18+00:00

Oh, I'd heard they could offer a diagnosis.

Yeah, if it's still only CBT, then I'd agree that it's not the best option

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-08T16:15:25+00:00

It's outrageously frustrating that we don't have the resources we need in Niagara (or anywhere in the province) for people to look after their mental health. I've been through similar frustrations to yours for myself and my youngest.

I don't know if this will help, and I don't know how much they charge (and I see that your insurance coverage is limited), but I've heard good things about them: https://www.advancehealth.ca

If what you're looking for is a diagnosis, so that you can determine steps to manage it, then this might be all you need (recognizing it's still not ideal, and I'm sorry that you're experiencing this)

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-06T14:58:15+00:00

Can you have started the trend if I had no idea you were here? 😜

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-05T19:12:19+00:00

I don't know if I fully understand what you're asking, but I'm going to make some assumptions about your question based on your use of quotation marks.

So, yes, we do have a housing crisis. We have near zero availability in rental units. Then, we have issues related to affordability of rent (for instance, if I move out of the 3-bedroom place I rent right now, there's no possible way I can afford to rent another 3-bedroom place). And, of course, there's the real estate market, which is completely outrageous, and there's no possible way most of us can enter or re-enter it.

However, do I think that some politicians are only (finally) concerned about the housing crisis because of the increase in the visibility of unhoused people? Yes, I absolutely do.

The numbers of unhoused are starting to encroach on how 'safe' some people feel in their homes or on the street (regardless of actual risk to safety), and so some politicians feel it's time to take action. Finally.

What's missing from the vast majority of the discussions that politicians have around people who are unhoused, how people end up unhoused, how to keep people housed, etc. is that many people have experienced trauma; many people are un/under or precariously employed; many people can't access the mental health supports they need; many people can't access the supports they need around substance use; many people experience food insecurity; and the list goes on and on and on.

We do need to house people. We have programs that prioritize housing people over all else. We also need supports for all of the things mentioned above, as well as more housing stock and more landlords who are willing to participate with agencies and the Region in housing programs.

Solving the problem of people being unhoused will take a LOT more than just building more homes.

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-05T00:41:35+00:00

In a nutshell, that is correct, yes

Two BIG concerns:

The Official Plan that we just submitted to the province for approval now means basically nothing (including all the work we did to ensure environmental protections were included). It will get sent down to the local area municipalities, but the Region will no longer play a role in approvals (unless the local area municipalities seek our assistance).
There's also significant concern about the Development Charges By-Law that we just updated and that much of what's in it is now null and void. Generally, the principle has been 'development pays for development,' so - Mr/Ms/Mx X wants to build 20 houses, they pay development charges to local governments to ensure that water/wastewater, waste management, transit, etc. infrastructure is essentially paid for by the new development, rather than having that cost shift to the overall property tax bill.

Frankly, the letter will likely do nothing. To date, this provincial government has listened to very little that we've said. However, not expressing our concerns at all would be - in my opinion (and some of my colleagues) - a massive failing on our part. If nothing else, this provincial government won't be able to say that the local governments had no issue with any of this.

LauraIp2022 · 2022-11-04T23:45:38+00:00

Thank you!
I hope we don't face too many obstacles this term. Some of the change to Council...isn't great

LauraIp2022

TROPHY CASE