Jessica Bell MPP, University–Rosedale

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 victory.  

I am relieved that Canadians voted against Poilievre and his reactionary and divisive Trump-lite politics. 

We face enormous challenges: from a looming recession to the spectre of Trump threatening to make Canada the 51st State. Nationally, Canada is failing to adapt to the climate crisis and our housing and affordability challenges. 

My deepest gratitude to Jagmeet Singh and the NDP MPs. The supply and confidence agreement the Federal NDP signed with the Trudeau government was divisive, yet, many more Canadians are able to access publicly-funded dental care and medication, and that was because of the party’s work and this deal.    

Despite our losses, the Liberal Minority government needs the Bloc and the NDP to pass legislation, and I know that we all take advantage of this political power to push for a bold populist vision.

I will be joining New Democrats in reflecting on the lessons to be learned from this devastating election as part of our work to plan our next steps. Why did some voters swing from NDP to Conservative, and how do we persuade them to come back? Who should be our next leader? I’ve got lots of questions. I bet you do too.  

We’re living through interesting times.

Sincerely,

Jessica Bell
MPP, University-Rosedale

 

In this newsletter:

• New government Bill 5 puts endangered species, Indigenous rights, and environmental protections at risk
• Government re-introduces law to fine and jail people living in encampments
• FAO report confirms what’s at stake as Ontario jobs face tariff threat
• What do you want to see in the upcoming Ontario budget?
• Ford Conservatives vote down our Shop Canadian motion
• Bike lanes can stay for now while Ford attacks Judges and lashes out at the courts
• Keep ’em coming—sign the petition to support our schools
• New NDP bill would crack down on illegal health care fees
• New report confirms that students with disabilities are being left behind
• Check out the TDSB 2025 Summer International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program
• Priority bus lanes could be coming to Bathurst Street

 

New government Bill 5 puts endangered species, Indigenous rights, and environmental protections at risk

The government has introduced Bill 5: the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. 

This is a sweeping omnibus bill that makes major changes to Ontario’s environmental laws, heritage protections, Indigenous consultation, and more.

The Ford government is talking up parts of the bill that aim to speed up the construction of mines, highways, and other major infrastructure, but there’s a lot more in this 229 page bill than that.

Here’s what the bill does: 

• It undermines the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate First Nations. The bill allows the government to designate “trusted proponents” and delegate responsibilities to them, including regulatory approvals. While the duty to consult is not explicitly handed off in law, the structure of the bill sets up a process where developers may be given lead responsibility for coordinating key project elements without meaningful Indigenous engagement. 

This raises serious concerns about the Crown’s responsibility to consult and accommodate, and takes us one step further away from securing free, prior, and informed consent from Indigenous communities before a project can proceed on their traditional territory.

• The bill weakens Ontario’s endangered species protections by repealing the Endangered Species Act and replacing it with a new “Species Conservation Act.” Under the new rules, the definition of “habitat” would be narrowed to just a nest or den and the area right around it, instead of the full environment a species needs to survive. The government would no longer be required to create recovery plans for species in danger. And instead of leaving protection decisions to scientists, the new law gives more power to politicians to decide which species are protected and which are not. Environmental experts say this is the biggest rollback of species protections in nearly 20 years.
  
  
• It creates “Special Economic Zones” that give the government sweeping powers to override municipal bylaws, environmental rules, and even provincial legislation to fast-track projects. The government can create these zones anywhere they want and any projects inside them can skip the usual approval process including environmental reviews and public consultations. The legislation could be used to accelerate development at places like Ontario Place, bypassing environmental safeguards and community input.

I want to hear your thoughts on this bill. Please email me at [email protected]. To make a written submission or request to appear at committee, follow this link. 

 

Government re-introduces law to fine and jail people living in encampments

The Conservatives has reintroduced its bill to fine and jail people living in encampments. Now called Bill 6, the Safer Municipalities Act, this bill is nearly identical to the version tabled back in December.  

Here’s what’s in the bill. 

• Schedule 1 creates a new law, the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, which makes public drug use a separate offence (even though it's already illegal), and gives police sweeping powers to evict people from tents or shelters for “suspected” use. Officers can demand identification, issue fines up to $10,000, arrest without a warrant, and seize and destroy personal belongings.
  
  
• Schedule 2 changes the Trespass to Property Act to add harsh sentencing rules that specifically target unhoused people, such as heavier penalties if someone is likely to return to a tent or encampment in the future.

We agree on the goal. No one should be living in parks. We don’t agree with the Conservatives on the solution.  

The Conservatives’ move to fine and jail people who are using illegal drugs in public or living in parks is cruel, expensive, and futile. Jail is more expensive than supportive housing. 

Providing permanent affordable and supportive housing to people is a policy approach that works. It’s cheaper, and it’s compassionate. We are continuing our push to finance and build 300,000 affordable homes, including supportive housing, as part of our Homes Ontario plan.  

Addressing illegal drug use requires increased investment in mental health services, supportive housing, and addiction treatment. There is no quick fix to our addiction crisis.

If you're organizing an action in response to Bill 6, let us know so we can amplify your work. Contact us at [email protected].

 

FAO report confirms what’s at stake as Ontario jobs face tariff threat 

A new report from Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) lays out the economic toll the U.S. tariffs are expected to take on our province, and the findings are deeply concerning.

The FAO predicts Ontario will enter a modest recession in 2025 as a result of U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, vehicles, and parts. Key findings include:

• Ontario’s manufacturing sector will be hit the hardest, especially auto and auto parts, with real GDP in those industries projected to fall by as much as 22 per cent compared to a no-tariff scenario.
  
  
• Over 119,000 fewer jobs are expected by 2026, including nearly 58,000 fewer jobs in manufacturing alone.
  
  
• Windsor, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, and Brantford are projected to be among the most impacted regions.
  
  
• Consumer prices will rise, and unemployment is expected to increase.

This is a serious wake-up call. More than 900,000 Ontarians work in jobs tied to trade with the U.S..

The Ford government has rolled out tax breaks and deferrals for businesses, but has said little about what it will do to protect workers and families. 

On Wednesday, I stood up in the legislature and asked the premier directly: what is he doing to protect Ontario jobs?

I’m continuing my work on the Leader’s Advisory Council on Tariff Response and Economic Security, where we’re developing practical proposals to strengthen Ontario’s economy. We need a plan that works for workers and communities, not just corporations. Ontario workers, especially in our manufacturing heartland, are counting on it.

 

What do you want to see in the upcoming Ontario budget? 

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy will table Ontario’s budget on May 15.

This is a key moment to shape our province’s priorities. Do you want to see real investment in our public schools? More affordable housing? Support for made-in-Ontario jobs? Action on grocery prices and the cost of living?

Budgets are about priorities. They show who the government chooses to support and who they leave behind. As the finance critic, my job is to lead our response to the budget and present an alternative proposal for how Ontario should use its finances.  

Tell me what matters most to you at [email protected] or call 416-535-7206. I’ll take your concerns straight to Queen’s Park and make sure your voice is part of the conversation.

Let’s fight for a fairer, greener, more affordable Ontario together.

 

Ford Conservatives vote down our Shop Canadian motion 

On Thursday May 3, the Ontario NDP brought forward a simple, practical motion to help Ontarians support local jobs and fight back against rising costs.

Our Choose Ontario, Strengthen Ontario motion would have: 

• Required big grocery chains like Loblaws and Sobeys to clearly label Ontario- and Canadian-made products
• Flagged U.S. imports so consumers can make informed choices in response to U.S. tariffs
• Required labels on sudden price hikes over 2 percent in a week

With Trump’s reckless tariffs putting Ontario jobs and businesses at risk, we need to use every tool we can to build local economic resilience. This motion would have helped families make smart, transparent choices at the grocery store—and kept more money circulating in our communities.

The Conservatives voted the motion down. 

We’re not giving up. Add your name to support the Choose Ontario, Strengthen Ontario campaign.

 

Bike lanes can stay for now while Ford attacks Judges and lashes out at the courts 

On April 22, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas granted an injunction preventing the Ford government from tearing up protected bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue, at least until a full legal hearing can take place later this year. 

After the decision, Premier Doug Ford went on an extended rant, calling judges“bleeding hearts”, suggesting they retire early, and even floating the idea of electing judges like in the U.S.—a dangerous and undemocratic idea that undermines judicial independence.

The Ford government gave itself the power last year to remove 19 km of bike lanes over the city’s objections. But Justice Schabas noted there was no evidence that removing the lanes would reduce traffic, despite the government’s claims.

Regardless of how the legal challenge unfolds, we will keep pushing for safer streets. We will do this through the courts, at Queen’s Park, and alongside our community in the streets.

 

Keep ’em coming—sign the petition to support our schools 

I’ve been receiving stacks of petitions from parents, educators, and neighbours who are deeply concerned about what’s happening in our schools and I want to thank everyone who’s taken the time to sign and send them in.

I will be reading your petitions aloud in the legislature, making sure your voices are heard by the Minister of Education and the Premier. The more signatures we collect, the louder that message becomes.

If you haven’t signed yet, you can download a petition here.

Let’s keep the pressure on for smaller class sizes, more support for students with special needs, and safe, well-maintained schools. Together, we can fight for the investment our kids deserve.

If you'd like printed copies or want to organize petitions at your school, reach out to my office at [email protected].

 

New NDP bill would crack down on illegal health care fees 

This week, NDP MPPs France Gélinas, Chandra Pasma, and Dr. Robin Lennox introduced The Health Care is Not for Sale Act, a bill that would stop for-profit clinics from charging unfair and illegal fees for medically necessary care

These fees are already banned under the Canada Health Act, but patients continue to report being overcharged or upsold unnecessary procedures. This bill would finally bring real consequences:

• Classifying these practices as professional misconduct
• Empowering regulators to fine and suspend offending clinics
• Requiring reimbursement for patients
• Revoking licenses for repeat violators

Here in University–Rosedale, we’ve seen firsthand how Ontario’s public health care system is being undermined.

Last year, about 1,600 patients at Taddle Creek Family Health lost their family doctor to a private "executive health" medical clinic called MDDirect.  

MDDirect requires patients to pay an annual fee of $3695.00/year for patients 14-20 years old and up to 4,995.00/year for patients 65 years and old.

Primary care clinics like Taddle Creek are the solution to our health care crisis, not for-profit American-style clinics.

If you’ve been charged unfair fees or have lost access to care, I want to hear from you. Email me at [email protected].

 

New report confirms that students with disabilities are being left behind

A new report from Community Living Ontario has confirmed what parents, educators, and advocates have been saying for years. Students with disabilities and special needs are in crisis in Ontario’s classrooms.

The report outlines heartbreaking stories of children being sent home, denied full-day education, and subjected to isolation or restraint because schools don’t have the staffing or resources to meet their needs.

This crisis did not happen overnight. As Shadow Minister for Education MPP Chandra Pasma said, “Years of cuts and neglect from this government brought us here.” Since 2018, nearly every school board in Ontario has been forced to run a deficit in special education. They are spending more than they receive from the province and still cannot meet the needs of students.  

The TDSB is facing a special education shortfall of $38M for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. This means we spend $38M more than we receive from the provincial government to provide services and teaching. 

This is a system-wide failure. No child should be excluded from learning because of their disability. We are calling for urgent action from the Minister of Education, including:

• More trained and caring adults in classrooms.
  
  
• Better tracking and transparency around student exclusions, partial-day attendance, seclusion, and restraint.
  
  
• Immediate investment in supports and resources for students with disabilities and special needs.

Students with disabilities deserve dignity, safety, and an education that helps them thrive. 

 

Check out the TDSB 2025 Summer International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program

The TDSB’s 2025 Summer International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program registration is officially open. This program gives children an opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of diverse languages, cultures and traditions. It runs from July 2 - July 25, 2025.

In the University-Rosedale riding, King Edward Junior & Senior Public School will be offering Mandarin Simplified language classes Monday - Friday from 9am - 11.30am. 

Register online now at https://ereg.tdsb.on.ca/public/ilelogin.aspx

Registration closes: June 22, 2025 

Registration Requirements: Ontario Education Number (OEN) and OHIP card is required. OEN can be found at the top of your child’s report card. OHIP card is needed to verify student’s name and date of birth.

 

Priority bus lanes could be coming to Bathurst Street

The City of Toronto (City) and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) have invited residents to share their input regarding RapidTO: Bathurst Street - the City plans to change transit along Bathurst Street from Eglinton Avenue West to Lake Shore Boulevard West. 

To fix congestion in this city, it’s imperative that we dramatically increase the number of people who choose public transit, and that’s only going to happen if we make transit fast, cheap and reliable.  That’s what a priority bus lane on Bathurst St will do. I’m fully on board with this proposal.

City staff recommendations and the decision made by City Council will be informed by public opinion, and technical and policy considerations. Have your say by attending a public event on May 10, 12 or 14, or completing the City’s survey online or via the phone before May 26th.

In University-Rosedale, there will be a public drop-in event on Saturday, May 10th, 2025 from 11am - 3pm at Harbord Collegiate Institute, 286 Harbord St, Gymnasium (Entrance 6). Portuguese, Cantonese and Mandarin-speaking interpreters will be present at the event. The venue is wheelchair accessible. If you require other accommodation, please contact 416-338-7797 or [email protected] as early as possible.

 

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