Joel Harden MPP / Député, Ottawa Centre

* Warning: this week’s column is about gender-based violence (GBV). Help is available if you or someone you know is at risk. Contact the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa for 24/7 confidentia... More

Ottawa lost a warrior this week. Voula Sardelis was barely five feet tall, and in her 101st year of life. But her stature was towering all the same. Voula inspired unanimous support at Queen’s Par... More

Yesterday, Premier Ford announced a “New Deal” for Ottawa, which Mayor Sutcliffe described in the following terms: Hm. While provincial investment in our city is welcome, I don’t see this as a “bi... More

Yesterday was Ed Broadbent’s birthday. Almost two months ago, hundreds of admirers gathered at Dominion Chalmers Centre to celebrate him. The event was broadcast nationwide.  I will never forget t... More

This week I toured our city with Official Opposition colleagues. We met with health care experts, patients, business leaders, housing providers and seniors groups. They all told us the same thing: ... More

Content warning: discussion of graphic violence. If you or someone you know is struggling, and needs immediate assistance, contact the Ottawa Distress Centre at 613-238-3311. Today is International... More

Three weeks ago, Neil Ellis, the Mayor of Belleville, appealed for assistance from other levels of government. After 23 overdoses in less than three days, Belleville declared an addictions, mental ... More

Last week, House to Home, a local non-profit that helps refugees, had a break-in. I started hearing from neighbours immediately who were outraged once the news broke. House to Home’s storefront at ... More

February is Black History Month, so let’s talk about Mary Ann Schadd. Why? Because she was the first Black woman publisher in North America, and the first woman publisher in Canada. Her newspaper,... More

Over the past few weeks, I have been having conversations with local environmental groups and climate change experts. It has been a welcome reminder of the great climate action work being done in O... More