The Honourable Patty Hajdu was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North in 2015. Appointed to cabinet by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau immediately after the 2015 election, she has served as Minister of Status of Women, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Minister of Health, and is currently the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

Highlights of her work in her cabinet roles include launching the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; the establishment of a National Strategy to End Gender Based Violence; the creation of legislation to protect federal workers from harassment and violence in the workplace, modernization of the Federal Labour Code, the establishment of pay equity legislation for federal workers; leading Canada’s efforts through the Covid-19 pandemic; and most recently, reaching an historic agreement-in-principle for the compensation of Indigenous children harmed by the inequities in the child welfare system.

Before entering politics, Minister Hajdu was the Executive Director of Shelter House Thunder Bay, launching the SOS Street Outreach Service during her tenure and was the author of the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy. She also worked in public health and focused on drug policy, youth development, and homelessness.

Her core values centre around compassion, equity, and the conviction that Canada is stronger when everyone has a fair chance to succeed. She is known for her honest and direct advocacy on behalf of her constituents and stakeholders. Focused on improving opportunities, strengthening relationships, and healing systemic issues at a grassroots level, Patty will tell you that each and every one of us has the power to make our communities stronger, fairer and kinder.