Joel Harden MPP / Député, Ottawa Centre

Government of Ontario

Weekly Email Update

MPP Update #179: Organizing for justice in troubled times

Some think real change is impossible in politics, but I’ve never believed that. With hard work and good timing, breakthroughs can happen. On September 8 in this column, I asked for your help to sav... More

MPP Update #178: Stop the killing, stop the hate, we need a ceasefire now

CONTENT WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE What a horrifying week.  We are shocked at further news about the deaths (and mass casualties) of civilians in Israeli communities. The brutality is staggering.  B... More

MPP Update 177: Reasons to be thankful

This weekend is a moment to be thankful for the bounty of our harvest, and the hard-working people who feed us. We should thank the farmers and farm workers (including almost 27,000 from other coun... More

MPP Update #175: We need climate action, not climate opinions

Today is another global climate strike, led by the Fridays for Future movement, and I’m headed to Parliament Hill to face tough questions from high school students. I hope to get a rough ride. Like... More

MPP Update #174: Let's organize to defend the Greenbelt

The unfolding saga on Ontario’s Greenbelt is beyond belief. This seems like a Netflix show that runs like a Nordic version of The Sopranos. Two damning independent reports — from Ontario’s Auditor ... More

MPP Update #173: Now more than ever, Pride matters

This weekend is Capital Pride - Ottawa’s annual festival to celebrate, support, and uplift our 2SLGBTQ+ neighbours. There are many wonderful events, art installations, and performances to attend fo... More

MPP Update #172: Supporting our friends, strengthening our community

Thanks to everyone who responded to my column last week. On August 8, we held an intense community forum on poverty, homelessness, and addictions, and it’s clear that you care. You offered plenty o... More

MPP Update #171: Poverty, homelessness and addiction are community issues

Frustration with poverty, homelessness, and addictions came to a head in our city this week. As promoted in this newsletter, Councillor Ariel Troster and I hosted a meeting on community safety at J... More

MPP Update #170: Take it from Barbie -- love yourself, and be yourself

Like many people, I recently watched the film Barbie. It was a feast for the eyes and ears. By the end of this weekend, Barbie is likely to exceed $1 billion USD at the box office, by far the bigge... More

MPP Update #169: Doug Ford and Ottawa’s LRT have a lot in common

Guess who found his way to Ottawa this week? Premier Doug Ford! He was in town for a health care announcement at CHEO, just a week away from a provincial by-election in Kanata-Carleton. I’m sure th... More