June 21, 2025
June 20, 2025 - Update
Dear neighbour, I have begun canvassing again in the neighbourhood, and it’s really nice to connect with constituents again A big issue that I’m hearing about at the door is that landlords are fr... More
June 18, 2025
It is Time Ontario Set a Maximum Temperature for Rental Units
Climate change is here, and it is getting worse. Every summer, our office hears from renters struggling to survive in dangerously hot apartments. Temperatures in these units regularly soar above 30... More
June 17, 2025
Virtual AGI Townhall
Are you a renter who wants to better understand Above Guideline Increases (AGIs) and how to challenge them? You're invited to a virtual townhall to learn how to challenge AGIs, hear from experts... More
June 17, 2025
Ontario housing starts are down. We’re asking why.
The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) recently released an economic update that shows Ontario’s housing starts have dropped to their lowest level since 2007. This is a concerning development in... More
June 6, 2025
RSVP: Online Panel on Youth Social Media Use
With the release of the Netflix film Adolescence, decision-makers are ramping up their work to curb the harmful impacts of social media use on our children. Some U.S. states have banned social med... More
June 6, 2025
June 6, 2025 - Update
Dear neighbour, In the face of fierce resistance from workers, environmentalists and First Nations, the Conservatives rammed through Bill 5 on Wednesday. Bill 5 creates special economic zones tha... More
June 6, 2025
NDP introduces law to make renting more affordable
TORONTO — Ontario NDP Shadow Finance Minister Jessica Bell (University--Rosedale), Shadow Minister for Housing Catherine McKenney (Ottawa Centre), Alexa Gilmour (Parkdale--High Park), and Chandra P... More
June 4, 2025
Repeal Bill 5
This afternoon, Bill 5 became law in Ontario, but my bet is it will not be law for long. Bill 5 will be challenged in the courts, in the legislature, in the streets, and on the land. It will be ch... More
June 2, 2025
Post-secondary cuts are closing the door for Ontario students
In Ontario’s 2025 budget, post-secondary education funding is being cut by $1.2 billion. This massive cut is exacerbating the already considerable funding pressures faced by colleges and universit... More
May 30, 2025
Fighting back against predatory paid parking in rental buildings
Visitor parking should not be used by corporate landlords to make a profit. That’s why I joined to support MPP Jennie Stevens on her motion calling on the Ford government to ban paid visitor parki... More
May 30, 2025
May 30, 2025 - Update
Dear neighbour, The Ford government is ramming through Bill 5. This alarming and controversial 229-page omnibus bill is designed to speed up mining and infrastructure projects. Bill 5 guts endan... More
May 26, 2025
Beverley School parent speaks out on Special Education cuts
Now is the time for us to speak up against cuts to our schools, especially in areas such as Special Education. Recently I heard from Jessica - a Beverley School parent and Special Education advoca... More
May 21, 2025
Support our kids! Invest in education now
Sign our petition to invest in education now. The Toronto District School Board is facing a yawning financial gap between what the Ministry of Education requires the board to deliver and what ... More
May 16, 2025
What's in Ontario's band-aid budget?
What’s in Ontario’s band-aid budget? Ontario is flying through serious economic turbulence because of Donald Trump’s trade war. The 2025-2026 provincial budget should be helping tariff-proof our e... More
May 16, 2025
Meet the 2025 Community Recognition Award Winners
Yesterday, we held our Community Recognition Awards and I am once again elated to celebrate all the wonderful contributions made by each of the recipients. It is their work that makes University-R... More
May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025 - Update
Dear neighbour, Ontario is flying through serious economic turbulence because of Donald Trump’s trade war. The 2025-2026 provincial budget should be helping tariff-proof our economy, by getting O... More
May 15, 2025
Public Education: Emergency Meeting
Join Jessica Bell, Kristyn Wong-Tam, and TDSB Trustee Deborah Williams for an emergency townhall about the state of public education and what you can do to fight the cuts facing our schools. Our s... More
May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025 - Update
Dear neighbour, Over the last few months, I’ve spoken with many parents, teachers, and students who are deeply worried about what’s happening in our schools. From overcrowded classrooms to the lo... More
May 7, 2025
What should Ontario do to protect our children from social media harms?
What should Ontario do to protect our children from social media harms? I regularly hear from parents about the impact of social media on our children. Evidence is showing that excessive screen tim... More
May 6, 2025
Postponed - University Rosedale Tenants Associations Meeting
Please join me at our upcoming University Rosedale Tenants Associations Meeting on Thursday, May 22th, from 6pm-7:30pm in room 351 at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 111 Wellesley St W. All a... More
May 5, 2025
The ONDP is demanding NO CLAW BACKS to the Canada Disability Benefit
The new Federal Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is scheduled to roll-out this summer with eligible recipients expecting to receive their first installment in July 2025. Our office is hearing fr... More
May 3, 2025
May 3, 2025 - Update
Dear neighbour, The federal election results are in. Congratulations to every politician, staffer, volunteer, and voter. This is democracy. Congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney on his ... More
May 2, 2025
Community Recognition Awards 2025
On Thursday, May 15, please join Trustee Deborah Williams and me in recognizing the work of various individuals and organizations in University-Rosedale. Date: May 15, 2025 (Thursday) Time: 7pm-8:3... More
April 17, 2025
April 17, 2025 - Update
Dear neighbour, We are back. On Tuesday April 15, the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumond delivered the Throne Speech to a packed house. The speech outlined the government's agenda for ... More
April 10, 2025
Urgent funding needed for Pope Francis childcare centre
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) have come together to call on the province to invest in building childcare spaces in schools, especia... More
April 9, 2025
Bell: We should be lifting people up, not sending them deeper into poverty
Financial watchdog report shows decline in healthcare quality benchmarks, social assistance There’s a new financial watchdog report on the Ontario government’s spending trends over the past 30 ye... More
April 9, 2025
Enbridge customers deserve better — read my letter to the Ontario Energy Board
Across Ontario, more and more households are making the switch from fossil fuels to electric heat pumps—lowering their energy bills and cutting their carbon footprint at the same time. It’s a smar... More
April 4, 2025
April 4, 2025 - Update
Dear neighbour, Yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced another sweeping round of tariffs, targeting dozens of countries, including Canada. By drastically changing trade rules, Trump h... More
April 3, 2025
Budget 2025-2026: The quality of our kids’ education is on the line.
The Toronto District School Board has begun the process of setting the school budget for 2025-2026. The quality of our kids’ education is on the line. Every year, I talk to parents, teachers, and ... More
April 3, 2025