Joel Harden

Joel Davison Harden (born January 14, 1972) is a former Canadian politician who represented Ottawa Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2018 to 2025. A member of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), Harden served as the party's critic for transit and active transportation. He was the federal NDP candidate in the riding of Ottawa Centre in the 2025 Canadian federal election.

Background

Early life and education Harden grew up in Vankleek Hill, Ontario. He holds an undergraduate degree in sociology and political studies from Queen's University. He later attended York University, where he earned a master's degree in 1997 and a doctorate in political science in 2006.

From 1998 to 2000, Harden was the chairman of the Ontario section of the CFS.

Political career Harden was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2018 provincial election.

In August 2018, Harden was appointed Official Opposition Critic for Accessibility & Persons with Disabilities; Pensions; Seniors' Affairs. Harden's parliamentary roles included sitting on the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Harden supports the BDS movement.

Federal politics Harden filed papers in March 2024 to seek the federal NDP's nomination to run as the party's candidate in Ottawa Centre in the 2025 Canadian federal election. He won the contested nomination race on January 11, 2025, against Canadian Labour Congress national director of human rights, Vicky Smallman. He was defeated in the general election, finishing second to Liberal incumbent Yasir Naqvi. Harden endorsed Avi Lewis in the 2026 New Democratic Party leadership election.

Controversies

Support for Khalida Jarrar In 2019, Harden called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to demand that Israel immediately release Khalida Jarrar, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which Canada had designated as a terrorist organization.

Comments on Israel and Palestine In November 2022, Harden was criticized for his statements in a video blog interview related to Israel and Palestine. Harden said that the: "single greatest origin of violence in the Middle East is unquestionably the state of Israel." In the interview, Harden also took a pro-Palestinian position and said: "I think it's important to remain steadfast against all supremacist ideologies, all forms of prejudice and racism. When I'm at Palestinian solidarity demonstrations, if I hear people making antisemitic remarks, I take a point of pulling that person aside and saying "you're not helping." The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs posted on social media that Harden's comments in the interview: "can only be called antisemitism and misinformation about Israel." Peter Tabuns, the interim leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party and the leader of the Opposition, said "I welcome his commitment to further education about antisemitism. Antisemitism has no place in our party." Ottawa By-Law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) director Roger Chapman said: It's important to note that enforcement during demonstrations is a result of escalated actions by the participants, which may pose nuisance and public safety issues. As the activities of protesters escalated and became more frequent, including the defacement of property, the use of sound reproduction devices, smoke bombs, fireworks, and threats towards our officers, BLRS took action to address these concerns. Initially, warnings were issued to individuals regarding the operation of these sound production devices ... when the activity persisted, fines of $490 were issued.

Electoral record

Federal elections

Provincial elections