September 9th, 2020 · Comments Off on FORUM: What can we do to fight for safe public education? (Aug. 2020)
Premier’s plan creates chaos, sows division
By Jessica Bell
Since school closed in March, our family has been struggling with the impossible job of full-time work and full-time parenting our two school-aged children. I, along with the parents of Ontario’s other two million school-age children, have been waiting for the Ontario government to release its back-to-school plan. However, its release — just weeks before school is scheduled to begin and without any serious consultation with the community — brought feelings of relief, anxiety, hopelessness, and rage. Read more
August 7th, 2020 · Comments Off on FORUM: Ford failing to address homelessness, racism, schooling (July 2020)
Telling parents to prepare for every eventuality is not a plan
By Jessica Bell
As the pandemic drags on, the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable are getting worse. I want to draw attention to three communities that need our help. Read more
June 15th, 2020 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Local resources for a global pandemic (May 2020)
An updated guide of Annex resources
By Gleaner Staff
Staying home to help stop the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be the new normal for the foreseeable future.
Read on for our updated guide to Annex resources during COVID-19, the third issue since we all started to hunker down and stay together apart. Read more
COVID-19 has changed our world. Many of us are anxiously living in private, reading our screens, and feeling helpless. At the same time, the essential workers among us are working overtime to keep us fed and safe. They are our farmers, our scientists, our truckers and cleaners, our midwives, postal workers, doctors, and supermarket staff. We see you and appreciate you all. Read more
March 24th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Local resources for a global pandemic (Mar. 2020)
An early guide to services
By Gleaner Staff
Staying local, living local, and shopping local is going to be the new normal in the coming weeks as the world hunkers down to battle the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Read more
March 24th, 2020 · Comments Off on FORUM: We need to do our part (Mar. 2020)
Listen to public health officials, cancel play-dates, work from home
By Jessica Bell
We are in a new normal. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting our country, our city, and our community. While our healthcare workers, public health staff, and others – including pharmacists, grocery store workers, and TTC staff – are working around the clock to keep us safe, we also need to do our part. Read more
Sue Dexter (left), with Jessica Bell, has championed the preservation and greening of Harbord Village and worked tirelessly to better the community. COURTESY JESSICA BELL
This article is the second in a series about local residents making a difference in our community. These unsung heroes were brought to The Gleaner’s attention by MPP Jessica Bell, who honoured them at her Annual Community Celebration, in December of 2019.Read more
February 27th, 2020 · Comments Off on LOCAL HEROES: MPP Bell honours pharmacare advocate (Feb. 2020)
Little Italy’s Nav Persaud makes the case for free meds
By Nicole Stoffman
This article is the first in a series about local residents making a difference in our community. These unsung heroes were brought to the Gleaner’s attention by MPP Jessica Bell, who honoured them at her Annual Community Celebration, in December of 2019. Read more
