Dear neighbour,
This morning, I travelled to Pearson Airport to walk with striking Air Canada flight attendants on the picket line. The mood was energizing and raucous. We are in for a fight.
Flight attendants are bargaining with Air Canada over higher pay, and to be paid for their work before the plane leaves the ground and after the plane lands. Their work of helping passengers board, conducting safety checks, and briefings is all unpaid.
Just 12 hours after the strike began, Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered the flight attendants back to work by invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which gives the minister the power to end a work stoppage and send workers to binding arbitration.
The flight attendants are staying out on strike, risking jail and massive fines.
This is no longer just about these workers being paid for all the hours they work, it’s about our rights as workers under a new Carney government. We are all watching to see how Carney responds? This is a test.
This isn’t the first time governments have passed laws stripping workers of their right to negotiate their pay, benefits, and work conditions with their employer.
I was in the legislature in 2022 when Doug Ford used the Not-Withstanding Clause to impose a contract on 55,000 Ontario education workers. The move sparked outrage, there was threat of a general strike, and the government backed down. It didn’t take long.
Now is the time to call on Prime Minister Carney and Air Canada to do the right thing for workers. You can send a message to them right now.
Sincerely,
Jessica Bell
MPP, University-Rosedale
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Canada must uphold it's obligations to refugees and civilians in Gaza
Earlier this month, MPP Alexa Gilmour (Parkdale-High Park) wrote to Premier Ford and Prime Minister Carney on behalf of the Ontario NDP caucus, reiterating our call for greater support for Palestinian refugees fleeing genocide in Gaza.
We are alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, including the deliberate starvation of civilians, which according to leading academic experts and international, Palestinian, and Israeli human rights organizations, constitutes an act of genocide.
We are urging Canada to uphold its obligations under international law to take meaningful steps to end the suffering of Palestinian civilians, including expediting Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications and ensuring the possibility of safe passage for refugees currently stranded in Gaza, as many seek safety with their loved ones in Canada.
We are also advocating for the Ford government to waive the OHIP waiting period for Palestinian refugees arriving in Ontario, to ensure they can have quick and simple access to essential medical care.
We will continue to echo the federal NDP’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and a two-way arms embargo. Our Ontario NDP caucus stands with communities across our province in demanding justice, peace, and accountability.
You can read the letter in full here.
Join our Renter Social this Tuesday August 19
Are you a renter looking to build community and push for stronger housing laws? Join me, renters like you, and tenant organizers this Tuesday August 19 from 6 to 8pm at Queen’s Park North for our Renter Social!
We’ll come together to share ideas and discuss the issues that renters are facing today in our city. You can also learn how to better protect your home, deal with your landlord, set up or strengthen a tenant association, and work with me and our team to pass stronger city and provincial housing laws.
Snacks and refreshments will be provided. I look forward to seeing you there.
When: Tuesday August 19 at 6PM
Where: Queen’s Park North
Youth employment: Young people are being left behind
I’ve heard from young people in our riding who are applying to hundreds of jobs they are qualified for, and never hearing back. Toronto’s Youth Employment Postcard report, released this month, tells a similar story.
15-24 year olds in our city are struggling to access and secure meaningful, gainful employment. In this age group, unemployment has hit a high of 15.8% based on data from June 2025, which is more than double the overall unemployment rate for Ontario.
Young people want to work and contribute, but they can’t find real pathways into steady jobs and they’re being left behind. As a parent myself, this worries me greatly.
The Ontario government needs to step up with investment in training and education, affordable housing with rent control, and give our youth a fair shot at a good job.
Meet us in the park this Summer
As August turns into September, I am continuing to bring my community office pop-up to local parks on Thursday evenings. Come by to say hello, share what’s on your mind, and find out how my team and I can help you with provincial issues.
You can join us at:
Bickford Park - August 28 (6 - 8PM)
Jesse Ketchum - September 11 (5.30 - 7.30PM)
College Park - September 18 (5.30 - 7.30PM)
Share your thoughts on changes to Queen’s Park North
At the centre of our city, Queen’s Park North is a valued and well used green public space.
Following an offer by the Weston Foundation to donate $50 million to improve the park, the City of Toronto is currently accepting community feedback on a variety of potential changes that could be made, focused on park design, park amenities, Indigenous placekeeping, park programming, and long-term maintenance.
Share your thoughts during this first stage of consultation by completing the City of Toronto’s survey on the proposed revitalization of Queen’s Park North until August 31.
Following this, the city will conduct a second stage of consultation including park pop-ups, an online discussion guide and online survey, a public working session and focus group meetings.
Once this is complete, a finalized Donation Acceptance Agreement will be reviewed by Toronto City Council, which will then decide whether or not to accept the $50 million donation and continue with the park design at Queen’s Park North.
Find out more:
Queen’s Park North Revitalization – City of Toronto
Complete the survey:
Queen's Park North Phase 1 Visioning Survey
Represent your TCHC community
Are you a tenant in a Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) building, or do you know someone who is?
TCHC is calling on tenants to run for a position on their local Tenant Council, which enables tenants to raise issues, share their ideas, and play a key role in improving their communities. Excited by the opportunity to advocate for and represent your community?
You’ve still got time to nominate yourself or your neighbour - nominations are open until September 4.
Submit your nomination: Nominations
Join me for Ice Cream at Bickford Park
Let’s connect, chat, and cool off with some free ice cream! On Monday, September 15, join us at Bickford Park (400 Grace St) from 5:30–7:30 PM.
We’ll come together as neighbours, enjoy a local green open space, and talk about what's on your mind as we head into the fall and back-to-school season.
Everyone is welcome and I hope to see you there.
When: September 15 at 5:30PM
Where: Bickford Park (400 Grace St)
Please note: in the event of rain, this event will be cancelled.
What’s new: Toronto’s Renovictions by-law
On July 31, the City of Toronto introduced a new Renovictions by-law, protecting tenants from being forced out of their apartments during renovations and giving them the right to return when work is complete.
To find out how this might work for you, join the Tenant Action Committee (TAC), Federation of Metro Tenants Associations (FMTA) and the Toronto Housing Secretariat for an information session on your rights and legal responses when faced with a potential Renoviction from your home.
When: August 21 at 7PM
Where: Zoom
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