Jessica Bell

Ontario is not the United States, but under the current Conservative government, we are witnessing a steady and deliberate dismantling of democratic institutions and practices. The Conservative's move to shield their records from public access is just one of many very troubling anti-democratic moves. They've also: - taken over school boards - meddled in how judges are appointed - eliminated whole levels of regional government - brought in strong mayor powers so one mayor can override councilors - refused to take bills, including massive omnibus bills, to committee for public consultation. - Getting rid of fixed election dates, so they can call on election when it works for their party. Ontarians deserve a government that respects local institutions, values public input, and upholds democratic norms. We must stand up for these principles, not just when they are convenient, but especially when they are under threat. The erosion of democracy doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through a series of small, calculated decisions that chip away at our institutions and silence our voices. We must remain vigilant. We must speak out. And we must demand better.

700,000 people woke up this morning without a job, and the line at Toronto’s busiest food bank goes down the street. That’s why next week’s budget matters, and why myself and the @ontariondp will be grading it using our Budget Report Card. One test Doug Ford’s budget needs to pass: Does it lower the cost of rent and groceries? Daily essentials shouldn’t be a luxury.

“Never in my entire time as an MPP has someone told me they wanted a luxury spa in downtown Toronto, a fantasy island, or a highway under the 401. What I’ve heard from Ontarians is that they want hallway health care fixed, an extra educator in their child’s classroom, and safer highways.” That’s exactly why we launched our Budget Report Card - to hold this government accountable on the issues that actually matter. Because if this budget doesn’t deliver on lowering costs, fixing public services, and building real opportunities, it simply doesn’t pass the test.

Today, I launched our Budget Report Card alongside our Shadow Minister of Finance and the Treasury Board Jessica Bell. The budget is where we find out what Doug Ford and his government actually care about – not what their flashy ads say. Because if this government really working for the “little guy”, then why are rent, groceries, and bills still out of control?

Save OSAP! Doug Ford’s cuts to OSAP mean: ❌ More debt ❌ Fewer opportunities for young people And all this for a generation already struggling with high rent, expensive groceries, and a tough job market. The @OntarioNDP is standing in solidarity with students and we’re organizing together to fight back. Last week’s townhall, with students from across Ontario, was just the beginning.

Times are tough. One look at the latest Canada jobs report shows the dire state of Ontario's economy - just in February - under Doug Ford: ❌ 23,500 full time jobs - gone. What's replacing them? Part-time jobs that aren't enough to help people struggling with the affordability crisis. ❌ Youth unemployment has skyrocketed to 16.3%. Young people can't get on the jobs ladder - and we've lost 15,000 jobs in key sectors such as hospitality and retail. When young people are losing jobs and struggling to find work, it’s a warning sign that the economy isn’t working for the next generation. ❌ Manufacturing gutted - 7,500 roles lost. At the exact moment we need to be building and innovating, the Conservatives have pulled the rug from under the workers we need to power our province. Ontario should be leading the country in job creation, instead we're losing jobs faster than almost anyone else. ❌ This can't go on.  ✅ What we need is big investment in public services and infrastructure - from hospitals to transit - so Ontario can improve services and create thousands of good, stable jobs. It's time to get serious about our economy. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quoti…

Ontario's Favourite Curse Word: Metrolinx Watch Marit Stiles explain the Eglinton LRT mess and what is cost you. app.sosha.ai/s/wK6r7tV5

Both new #OntEd supervisors are donors to the Ontario PC Party. Coincidence I’m sure.

The Conservative government's school board power grab has very little to do with helping kids do better in the classroom, and everything to do with slashing funding and selling off school properties. #Onpoli

Students are at Queen’s Park today protesting Doug Ford’s cuts to OSAP and his decision to increase tuition. These changes mean more debt and fewer opportunities for a generation already struggling with high rent, expensive groceries, and a tough job market. We’re standing in solidarity with students and organizing together to fight back. Join us at our Save OSAP town hall on March 12. Find out how to get involved at saveosap.ca

At Queen’s Park: students are gathering on the front lawn of the legislature to protest, the Ford governments changes to OSAP. #onpoli

We’re coming back to the legislature on March 23. The Conservatives are going to try and continue their tired failed policy experiment of giving big developers and big landlords everything they want. We know Doug Ford’s approach will make housing more expensive. To make housing affordable, let’s properly regulate housing with real rent control and protection from illegal eviction. To make housing affordable, let’s move ahead with our Homes Ontario plan where government builds, finances, and buys 30,000 non-profit homes a year. That’s how we fix housing.

That’s the grim news coming from today’s report on subsidized housing by Ontario’s financial watchdog, the Financial Accountability Office. In Ontario, rent is too expensive for far too many, and an alarming number of people are ending up homeless. No level of government is investing enough in affordable housing, but Doug Ford’s Conservatives are the stingiest by a long shot.

Financial watchdog report shows affordable housing crisis is getting worse. fao-on.org/en/report/subs…

Eastdale and Heydon Park give their students safety, stability, and a real shot at success. Cutting what works isn’t “efficiency”. These schools support kids who would otherwise fall through the cracks - serving an essential role in our school system! #FundOurSchools

Affording your groceries is a human dignity we all deserve. But it’s not one everyone has right now. Communities are standing up to support food banks, as the affordability crisis hits hard and more people find themselves in need of help. However, real solutions should also be on the table: ✅ Raising the minimum wage ✅ Increased social assistance rates for programs like Ontario Works and ODSP ✅ Keeping rent affordable

Post-secondary students are organizing, and #OSSTF is proud to join them in demanding better! On March 4 at 12:30 PM, students, instructors, parents, and community members will gather at Queen’s Park to demand NO cuts to OSAP and real investments in public education. Join the rally hosted by @CFSON, outside of working hours, and send a clear message: Hands off our education.