Seven percent of Ontario tenants, or 98,000 families, can’t pay their full rent because of pandemic-related job loss. They are accumulating rent arrears that many will never be able to repay, according to the Federation of Rental Providers of Ontario (FRPO). In the Annex alone, 16 eviction applications have been made since November.

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As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to listen, consult and collaborate to make good decisions for the people of Ontario. This is not a part of Premier Ford’s playbook. Despite the significance of the budget, the government did not organize traditional pre-budget public consultations, and only allowed about 20 people to give testimony in committee.

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While vaccines dominate the news, at Queen’s Park, the government is introducing legislation that has nothing to do with health. Here are three bills that we’re debating that you should know about.

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Require employers to provide workers with seven paid sick days a year, and an extra 14 days if there is a pandemic. Doug Ford needs to stop abdicating his responsibility to provide protection to workers and say yes to the bill immediately.

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For-proft LTC home in University-Rosedale has Ontario’s largest COVID-19 outbreak By Jessica Bell St. George Community Living, which is located  in my riding of University-Rosedale, now has the largest COVID-19 outbreak in Ontario. As of January 5, 84 residents and 51 staff have COVID-19, and 6 residents have died. The staff and residents need help […]

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There have been many outbreaks in long-term care homes across Ontario, including ones within the Gleaner’s distribution area. According to the province, Vermont Square, Kensington Gardens, O’Neill Centre and St. George Care Community have all experienced coronavirus outbreaks but have recovered since. According to an October 30 statement from MPP Jessica Bell’s office, 62 residents […]

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Environment, evictions, schools dominate final days of Queen’s Park 2020 Session By Jessica Bell Queen’s Park closed for the year on December 8. Here are the legislative highlights from the final few weeks: The Ford government continued trampling on Ontario’s natural environment. Government Bill 229 stripped the power of local conservation authorities to protect water […]

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ANNEX GLEANER FORUM (Oct. 2020): Waiting on a second-wave plan from Mr. Ford, from MPP Jessica Bell

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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 […]

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Ford failing to address homelessness, racism, schooling

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The COVID-19 pandemic is not only exposing how poorly our economy and society treat our most vulnerable, it’s making it worse.

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The tavern that’s been serving the west-end community with drinks, dance parties, and DJ nights announced in mid-February it will close permanently. In a post to social media pages, Clinton’s Tavern announced its sudden closure. “Clinton’s has always been a bar with a lot of heart. The people who have worked at Clinton’s throughout the […]

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