Joel Harden MPP / Député, Ottawa Centre

Last week, you could hear the sounds of hearts breaking across Ottawa. Why? Because we learned our beloved Rideau Canal Skateway would not open for the current winter season. The National Capital C... More

Earlier this week, I demanded the Ford government apologize to Ottawa residents. Justice Paul Rouleau’s Final Report to the Public Order Emergency Commission leaves no other conclusion. We were aba... More

NOTE: this column contains material on intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence (GBV). I’m proud to serve Ottawa Centre, but I wasn’t raised here. I spent my youth in Vankleek Hill... More

Allan Fotheringham, a columnist for Macleans, once called Ottawa a “place that fun forgot”, “coma city”, and “ennui-on-the-Rideau”.  While I like caustic wit, I take issue with anti-Ottawa slander.... More

I’ve worked as your MPP since 2018, and I’ve seen our city face many things. Two massive windstorms, two “once in a century” floods, a horrendous bus crash, a dysfunctional light rail transit syste... More

As promised, we are organizing to save our public health care system. It's time to push back against Premier Doug Ford's plans. There are two important events coming soon. The first is a zoom round... More

Yesterday we sent a message to Premier Doug Ford: health care is not for sale. Over a hundred people came on less than 48 hours notice to demand better for health care staff, better for patients, a... More

It’s been a rough week for public transit, and people are at their wit’s end. I’m hearing from folks whose commutes have doubled or tripled in length. Transit workers are also frustrated with fundi... More

Weeks before the recent holidays, we lost Christine Collins: a leader in the federal public service, and a tireless troublemaker for justice. I was honoured to call her my friend. A celebration of ... More

I hope the days to come bring you light, joy, and peace. Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Merry Christmas to all those who are celebrating. The cold storm outside won’t deter the warmth in our he... More