Joel Harden MPP / Député, Ottawa Centre

Government of Ontario

Weekly Email Update

Email Update #75: Back to school for kids with disabilities

We’re in the full heat of summer, and most kids, parents and education staff aren’t thinking about back-to-school. If anything, they’re enjoying a welcome break.  But after countless missed weeks o... More

Email Update 74: They paved paradise, and put up a parking garage?

Our city is buzzing with debate over the site of the new Civic Hospital.   Sadly, it’s not about the quality of facility, or the way in which the hospital will position Ottawa a leader in health ca... More

Email Update #73: This July 1, let’s march for justice

This Summer is a time for learning about Canada’s colonial past and present. Many of us have committed to this work. This Thursday, we can put that work into action.  An Algonquin-led #CancelCanada... More

Email Update #72

Note: what follows is traumatic information. Those with direct or family experience with Indian Residential Schools can contact this helpline: 1-866-925-4419. Today we are reeling from another horr... More

COVID Update #71: "Yumnah’s walls", a community project to stop Islamophobia

Last week we wrote about taking action to support our Muslim neighbours. Motivated by that idea, today we write about a community project to stop Islamophobia.  It is inspired by Yumnah Afzaal, the... More

COVID Update #70: Beyond thoughts and prayers

Last week we grieved a horrific discovery at the site of a residential school, and what it told us about Canada’s violent, colonial roots.  This week we are stunned by another facet of Canadian vio... More

Email Update: 215 more reasons to end Canadian colonialism

Note: what follows is traumatic information. Those with direct or family experience with Indian Residential Schools can contact this helpline: 1-866-925-4419. Canadians are reeling after horrifying... More

Email Update #68: What kind of schools do we want to re-open?

This week our office has been flooded with appeals to open schools.  As a parent myself, I get it: kids are suffering, and parents are stressed out. Schools should be the first to open, and the las... More

Email Update: From splash pads to tennis courts, fighting back makes a difference

Canadians, for the most part, are rule followers. For most things in life, that makes sense.  Taking your turn and waiting in line offer valuable life lessons. Such patience has been important in o... More

COVID Update #66

Ontario has oscillated between cycles of “lockdowns” for over a year during COVID-19, while lives and livelihoods have been lost.  But think of what life would be like in a permanent state of actua... More