From AfterEllen:

• “Degrassi” Portrays Lesbian Relationship with Class
  Paige and Alex’s relationship, developed over three seasons, has become one of the best portrayals of a lesbian teen relationship we’ve seen on American television.

From Bruce Demara of the Toronto Star:

• Degrassi producer back in school
  As a teenager 20 years ago, Brendon Yorke admits – a bit sheepishly – that he and a friend used to watch Degrassi High after school and mock it mercilessly.

From the Canadian Press:

• Shirley Douglas makes guest appearance on ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’
  Douglas said she was surprised when she got the invitation to appear on the wildly popular teen show. “I used to watch Degrassi a long time ago, and I didn’t realize they’re still making it, because I don’t have any children at home and I don’t watch a lot of television for young people,” Douglas said in an interview. “So I was very excited when I heard they were still doing it.”