Dear neigbour,
It’s been a 1000 days since the RCMP launched its criminal investigation into the Conservative government’s handling of the Greenbelt.
The Auditor General found the government ministers and staff made secret deals with a few developers to give them the right to build on the Greenbelt and make billions of dollars.
We’ve fought back. The Greenbelt is safe. But what is happening with that RCMP investigation? I want to know what’s going on.
That’s why Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles marked the 1000 days since the investigation was launched with a cake that read “Doug: Happy 1,000th Day Under Criminal Investigation”.
On Monday, July 13 at 6pm in Christie Pits, I’ll be joining a postcard writing party where we will write to the RCMP to ask them when they expect to complete the investigation. Come down, join me, and write your own personal message to the RCMP.
There is no place for corruption in government.
Sincerely,
Jessica Bell
MPP, University-Rosedale
In this newsletter:
- Meet us at a park this summer
- Ice cream social tonight at Huron St Playground
- It should never pay to illegally evict a tenant
- Sneaky Dee’s is safe for now
- Conservative claim of funding boost for education is not true (TAKE OUT)
- Community Townhall - A Breath of Clean Air
- Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is back
Meet us in the park this summer
This Summer, I am bringing my community office pop-up to local parks on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm. Come by to say hello, share what’s on your mind, and find out how my team and I can help with provincial issues. RSVP links, locations, and dates below. Hope to see you there!
Huron St Playground - 9th July
Ice cream social at Huron St Playground - Tonight!
Let’s connect, chat, and cool off with some free ice cream! Come enjoy a summer evening with the community at Huron St Playground (495 Huron St) on Thursday, July 9 from 6:00–8:00 PM.
It’s a great opportunity to meet neighbours, enjoy the park, and talk about the issues that matter—whether it's healthcare, education, or anything else on your mind.
t should never pay to illegally evict a tenant
On Monday, June 29, I held a press conference outside the building that Isidoro Ventullo called home for more than 20 years, calling on the Ford government to crack down on illegal evictions.
Last year, 92 year old Isidoro was evicted from his apartment during a heat wave. His landlord claimed he and his wife needed to move into Isidoro’s run-down bachelor apartment. Now, the building has been renovated and listed for sale for $2.275 million.
Isidoro tried everything to stay in his home. He went to the Landlord and Tenant Board. He went to court. He went to the media. Now he is going back to the Landlord and Tenant Board again to prove this eviction was done in bad faith. Even with the odds stacked against him, Isidoro has refused to give up.
At our press conference, Isidoro’s niece, Luisa Tedesco, spoke about the profound impact this eviction has had on Isidoro and their family. Isidoro lived in Little Italy for more than 60 years. His neighbourhood was his whole world: his friends, his routines, his doctors, his pharmacy, and his grocery store.
When the sheriffs finally arrived to evict him, Isidoro had no way to pack or move his belongings. Most of what he owned, including furniture, clothing, bedding, and personal items collected over decades, had to be thrown out.
After the eviction, Isidoro spent five months without a home of his own. He stayed with family, but the emotional toll was enormous.
With help from the City of Toronto’s EPIC program, Isidoro eventually found a new apartment. It is clean, safe, and accessible, but it is not in the community he calls home. Living only on CPP and OAS, he still has not been able to replace most of what he lost.
What happened to Isidoro should not happen to anyone.
Illegal eviction is far too common in Ontario. When renters are threatened with illegal eviction, they face an impossible fight because the rules are weak, enforcement is poor, and the fines are too small.
That is why I am introducing a bill to bring in stronger eviction rules, better enforcement, and bigger fines to protect tenants.
Our goal is simple: end illegal evictions in Ontario so that what happened to Isidoro never happens to another renter.
Sneaky Dee’s is safe for now
Over the past month, I have heard from many of you who were upset about plans that could have seen Sneaky Dee’s, beloved local dive bar and music venue, demolished for a condo development.
On Friday, July 3, we learned that the developer withdrew their application. Apparently, the developer did not own the adjoining Royal Bank property, and when RBC made clear it had no plans to close that location, the proposal fell apart.
I am pleased Sneaky Dee’s is safe for now.
Toronto needs new housing, especially affordable housing. But we should not be building it by sacrificing the public services, small businesses, music venues, and community spaces that make this city vibrant.
We can build more homes and protect the places people love. We do not have to choose one over the other.
This is also why the City of Toronto needs more authority over its own planning decisions. Toronto should be able to develop and implement a planning vision that reflects our city’s housing, cultural, employment, and community needs.
Instead, the province has repeatedly meddled in Toronto’s Official Plan and in official plans across Ontario to benefit their developer friends at the expense of everyone else.
I have consistently called for reforms to the Ontario Land Tribunal. The Tribunal should be a last resort, used only when there is a clear violation of provincial law. Currently, the Land Tribunal is the default place for developers to skirt city staff and council decisions and obtain approval from an unelected judge to proceed with their development.
Reforming the Tribunal would give cities and residents more power to negotiate better outcomes, secure community benefits, protect local businesses and cultural spaces, and make sure development serves the public good.
Sneaky Dee’s is safe and that is worth celebrating. But we still need planning rules that let Toronto build the housing we need while protecting the places that make our city feel like home.
Community Townhall - A Breath of Clean Air
Clean Indoor Air Toronto (CIATO) invites you to attend a free indoor air quality workshop!
This session will focus on practical ways to prepare for wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and poor air quality days this summer, while learning how to create healthier indoor spaces at home.
This is a great opportunity to build climate resilience and learn more about protecting your health in our community.
Date: Saturday July 11, 2026
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Swansea Town Hall, Rousseau Room
95 Lavinia Ave, Toronto
RSVP here.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is back
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is back with Sunday evening open-air cinema at Christie Pits Park throughout July and August. All events are free (donations are encouraged). Bring your own blanket or chair, and arrive early to get a spot! Find the details here.