Jessica Bell MPP, University–Rosedale

Dear neighbour,

Thank you for putting your trust in me to represent you as the MPP for University–Rosedale.

Being an elected official is a privilege, a responsibility, and an honour. I pledge to do my very best to serve all of us well at Queen's Park.

We are back.  

We hosted our first Ontario NDP caucus meeting last week, as Ontario's Official Opposition. I reflected on the MPPs in our caucus, including our new representatives, Alexa Gilmour, Dr. Robin Lennox and Catherine McKenney. 

We are represented by teachers, farmers, city builders, labour leaders, and people from so many fields and perspectives. We represent all corners of Ontario, from downtown Toronto, to the North. 

We came together last week to debrief the election, and plan for the coming four years. That means dealing with the threat of Trump and tariffs with everything we've got. 

The people of Ontario have told us they want us to keep fighting for publicly funded, publicly delivered health care, to build more homes, and to build a tariff-proof economy that works for everyone.

Our team is ready to work.

Sincerely,

Jessica Bell
MPP, University-Rosedale

In this newsletter:

• The School budget process has begun
• Nurses rally for safer patient conditions, better wages
• Courts rule that bike lane removal can proceed, but we’re not giving up
• Let’s talk Affordable Housing this Tuesday with Seaton Village Resident's Association
• Have your say in a new community centre at Ramsden Park!

The School budget process has begun

The TDSB has begun the process to set its budget for 2025-2026, and there’s a large funding gap that needs to be made up if we want to set public education up for success come September 2025.

The TDSB is experiencing a: $38.5 million shortfall to support students with special education needs, and a $10.9 million shortfall to support student and staff mental health, safety, and well-being, and a $16 billion shortfall in maintaining our schools in a state of good repair. 

These shortfalls are not just numbers - they represent real students who are not receiving the support they need to succeed in school and life. 

We will be organizing with students, parents, and educators in the coming months to call for better investment in our schools.  

Please let us know what is happening in your school, and what you are looking at doing in response.  

Last budget cycle, we worked with parents to support community rallies, we delivered petitions, raised concerns with the Conservatives in Question Period, and more. We expect to do the same this year. 

You can attend the TDSB meetings to share your concerns about the budget: 

• April 28 (Monday) TDSB Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (special meeting)  4:30 p.m. 
• April 29 (Tuesday) TDSB Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (special meeting) 4:30 p.m. 
• April 30 (Wednesday) TDSB Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee 4:30 p.m. 

Meetings are held at 5050 Yonge Ave.

Courts rule that bike lane removal can proceed, but we’re not giving up

Earlier this month, I went to Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice to watch lawyers for CycleTO and Ecojustice make the case to temporarily prohibit the Ontario government from removing the Bloor, University, and Yonge St bike lanes until the full legal challenge to Bill 212 that allows this, runs its course - which would be called an injunction. 

The judge, Justice Firestone, has denied this injunction. 

He ruled that whilst CycleTO and Ecojustice offered a strong case, they did not meet “the heavy burden of establishing that an injunction will do more for the public interest when considering the legislation’s [Bill 212] stated purpose”. 

The judge’s use of the word ‘stated’ here is key - as Ontario courts are forced by precedent to assume government legislation - like Bill 212 - is in the public interest, although we know in reality removing bike lanes makes us less safe, not more.

CycleTO and Ecojustice have filed a charter challenge against the Ontario government on the grounds that removing the bike lanes violates the Charter-protected rights to life and security of the person. 

This charter challenge will still be heard starting April 16. The fight is not over.

What was so interesting about the court case however, was the release of government-requested studies that concluded that removing the bike lanes would increase the risk of cyclists being injured or killed, and would not reduce congestion. The government had these studies in hand before they introduced Bill 212.

In other words, the Conservatives knew full well that removing the bike lanes was a terrible idea for cyclists and drivers alike, yet they moved ahead with giving themselves the power to rip them out anyway. 

The Conservatives have hired engineering firm Stantec to remove the bike lanes. The City of Toronto estimates removing the protected bike lanes will cost $48M, which is a colossal waste of money. 

Regardless of the outcome of the charter challenge, we will continue to advocate for safer streets for all, in the courts, in the legislature and in the streets. 

You can read my full thoughts here.

Let’s talk Affordable Housing this Tuesday with Seaton Village Resident's Association

Join Seaton Village Residents’ Association for a free talk on Affordable Housing in our city, and discover how we can make sure that everyone has somewhere to call home.

The Alliance for a Livable Ontario’s Franz Hartmann, and the City of Toronto’s Housing Secretariat Alex Papatchidis will be speaking about the steps we need to take to ensure housing is an essential everybody can afford.

You can find out more here.

When: Tuesday March 25th at 7pm

Where: 700 Markham St, Monsigneur Fraser School, Classroom 124